Community services tops Liam's pledges

Sinn Fein MLA Catherine Seeley who is stepping down from Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Council with Liam Mackle who is being coopted onto the council in her place

Catherine was recently elected as an MLA and Liam was put forward by the party to replace her on the Council.

Graham Shields, the Chief Electoral Officer has given notice that Liam Mackle had been returned to fill the vacancy on Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

He said: “Its now official. I am now the new Councillor for the Lurgan DEA and will be doing my very best along with the rest of the Sinn Féin team on the council to deliver for the people of Lurgan and the whole of Craigavon,Banbridge and Armagh. I am looking forward to the challenge of filling the vacancy left by Catherine Seeley and carrying on with her good work.”

Liam was previously a Councillor on Craigavon Council, losing out in the 2014 local elections.

He is a graduate of Queen’s University in History and the University of Ulster in Law.

Liam is employed as the advice manager at the Children’s Law Centre and has previously worked for Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Gingerbread NI and is also a Board member at Family Mediation NI and Chairperson of North Armagh Historical and Cultural Association.

‘I am delighted to have been elected by my party colleagues to take over from Catherine on the Council,” said Cllr Mackle. “I am eager to return the important work of representing the people of Lurgan as I did previously on Craigavon Council.

“As someone with a strong interest in children’s rights I will be keen to explore mechanisms for the participation of children and young people in local government.

“I will also be revisiting the issue of community provision in the north Lurgan area, particularly in the Shankill/Francis Street area.

“The people of Lurgan can be assured that I will be working hard on their behalf and will deal with all issues raised with me to the very best of my abilities,” said Cllr Mackle.