SDLP Youth Member Youngest Councillor In Ireland

national | miscellaneous | press release Thursday January 25, 2007 15:15 by Socialist - SDLP Youth

The SDLP last night co-opted 21 year old Matthew McDermott onto Lisburn City Council. Mr McDermott takes the seat left vacant by Patricia Lewsley. Matthew is now the youngest Councillor on the island of Ireland.

The SDLP last night co-opted 21 year old Matthew McDermott onto Lisburn City Council. Mr McDermott takes the seat left vacant by Patricia Lewsley. Matthew is now the youngest Councillor on the island of Ireland. Speaking after his co-option Cllr McDermott stated:

“I am delighted and honoured to take my place on the council as an SDLP representative. I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Patricia Lewsley who worked tirelessly to promote a spirit of equality in the council chamber. She also fought hard for her constituents. I intend to do the same. As a young person from the Dunmurry area I am well aware of the concerns, needs and hopes of the community. In the coming weeks I will be raising a number of priority issues which I will be addressing in council including housing, under investment, and job training programmes for the area.

There is much work to be done and the council is the forum to push much of this work through. I look forward to working with my colleagues Brian Heading and Peter O’Hagan in providing a strong, united, nationalist voice on the council.”