The SDLP has co-opted Shauna Cusack on to Derry City Council to replace long-serving John Tierney who is leaving the local authority after an association spanning 32 years.
Shauna Cusack.
A lifelong supporter of the SDLP, Cllr Cusack is the office manager of the constitency office of Derry MLA, Mark H Durkan, the current Northern Ireland Environment Minister.
She was chosen to replace Cllr Tierney at a selection convention held last night in the party’s Shantallow office.
Speaking to the Derry Daily following her selection, she said she was “absolutely delighted” and “overwhelmed” by the support she had received.
She added: “It will be a tough challenge trying to fill the shoes of John Tierney, but I will do my very best to carry on his legacy.”
She concluded: “I hope to make the party and the people of Derry proud and will be making it my priority to raise Derry’s profile when it comes to making the city a better place for all, not just SDLP voters.”
John Tierney is one of Derry’s best known and respected politicians was first elected to Derry City Council in 1981 and served as mayor of the city in 1984.
In 1996, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum for Foyle and he held his seat at the Northern Ireland Assembly election two years later.
He stood down from the Council in 2001 and the following year became the whip of the SDLP group on the Assembly.
He left the Assembly at the 2003 election and in 2007 was co-opted back on to Derry City Council to replace party colleague Seanna Hume.
SDLP Cllr Brenda Stevenson paid tribute to her senior party colleague.
She said: “John will be sorely missed. His advice was sound and wise.”
The resignation are two of a number expected ahead of the major shake-up of local government with the Review of Public Administration.
Tags: