Fearghal McKinney, who was last night co-opted to fill the vacant SDLP seat at Stormont, has spoken of his pride at his Derry connections.
Fearghal McKinney
The former UTV presenter and journalist (51) was last chosen to replace Conall McDevitt as MLA for South Belfast. Mr McDevitt resigned after it emerged he had failed to declare more than £6,000 earned from a public relations firm shortly after he became an MLA.
Mr McKinney beat South Belfast SDLP councillor Claire Hanna, the only other candidate to contest the c0-opted vacant seat, by 113 votes to 69 at a party selection contest in the city. More than 250 party members attended the selection meeting in a south Belfast hotel during which both candidates made speeches and took questions.
Mr McKinney and Ms Hanna were the only two candidates who contested the co-option to his vacated seat.
The son of Dennis and Bridie McKinney, the new MLA lived in the Strand Road area of Derry up until primary school age and is a cousin of Richard Moore, founder of the Children in Crossfire charity.
Speaking to Derry Daily about his Derry connections, Mr McKinney said: “I am extremely proud of my Derry Connections, particularly in this City of Culture year which has excelled all our hopes and expectations.
“Derry has shown this summer too how we can embrace the true meaning of a shared society, celebrating all our diverse culture and traditions.
“The SDLP has strong representation in Derry and I am confident that SDLP values will continue to strike a chord with the people of Derry.”
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