TWO prominent local councillors have announced they’re hanging up their political hats and will not be running in this year’s elections.
With the local government elections approaching in May, many parties are currently in the process of selecting their candidates. Both Sinn Fein and the DUP will each be down a well known face this time around, however.
Cllr Barry Doherty announced at the weekend that, after much thought and consideration, he would not be seeking re-election this time around.
“It’s been a privilege, it’s been a joy, it’s been fun, mostly,” the Macken man said on Facebook. “I could have done better and hope to in the future.
“The journey has been very important to me and I thank everyone who made it possible and helped or advised along the way.”
Cllr Doherty said he would remain active in Sinn Fein and was looking forward to new challenges.
Yesterday, Cllr Raymond Farrell revealed to the Herald he too would not be seeking to be re-elected to the Council and after eight years in politics so he can pursue other interests and opportunities.
“It has been, in the main, a very positive, rewarding experience and I’ve met some truly wonderful people along the way, which has really broadened my knowledge in different areas of daily life.”
Cllr Farrell, who rejoined the DUP two years ago after having been a UUP member for some time, is a retired mental health professional. He said he now wanted to pursue other avenues of mental health practice.
“I’m also doing some work in terms of supporting victims and people who were bereaved through the Troubles,” he said. “This is taking up a lot of my daily time and I also have to remember self-care.”
Giving his full support to his party colleagues who will be running, and stressing the DUP leader Arlene Foster has his “full and unwavering support”, Cllr Farrell said he had never been in politics for personal gain.
“I’ve always just had the mindset to be a servant of people,” he said. “I was brought up in a very working class environment and I know what it’s like from the bottom up. It’s something I’ve always held and kept with me and never wanted to lose.”
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