NEW ROLE… Fearghal McKinney
FEARGHAL MCKINNEY has been chosen to replace the SDLP’s Conall McDevitt as MLA for South Belfast.
Born in Derry, McKinney grew up in Enniskillen and attended St Michael’s college.
He worked as a newspaper reporter in the county, before moving to Belfast where he worked for UTV
The counting of the vote cast tonight, Thursday, at a convention with over 250 present, resulted in McKinney beating South Belfast SDLP councillor, Claire Hanna, by 113 votes to 69.
Speaking after the vote, Mr McKinney said: “It is an honour to have been selected by the delegates in South Belfast to represent them and the whole constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
“As I said this evening people are disillusioned with the stalemate at Stormont and deserve so much more.”
SDLP party leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell said: “I am delighted to have Fearghal join the team in south Belfast and in the Assembly.
“Over the past many years his commitment to the party has been impressive and I am confident that with the ability and dedication that Fearghal has displayed so far he will serve the people of south Belfast well into the future.”
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