Derry Sinn Féin councillor set to step down from Council

Ballyarnett councillor John McGowan (Sinn Féin) is to resign from Derry City and Strabane District Council. 

Nominations for prospective co-option candidates to replace Cllr McGowan closed on Monday (January 15).

A selection convention to ratify the new councillor will take place in the city tonight (Thursday).

Cllr McGowan was one of 18 Sinn Féin candidates elected to Council in last year’s local government elections.

Prior to his election Cllr McGowan was co-opted onto Derry City and Strabane District Council on November 24, 2021 to replace Cllr Damien Mullan, who was himself co-opted on July 19, 2021, to replace Cllr Aileen Mellon.

Cllr McGowan said he had decided to step down from Derry City and Strabane District Council due to “personal commitments”.

He added: “After careful consideration, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step down from the local council due to personal commitments.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to have served the people of Galliagh and the wider Ballyarnett area over the last two years.

“I want to thank everyone who put their trust in myself and Sinn Féin in the local council elections, and our team on Derry City and Strabane Council for supporting me during my time as a local councillor.

“We live in an amazing city with huge potential, and as someone who has worked in local business for many years, I am passionate about creating jobs and strengthening the economy and I will do whatever I can to assist the Sinn Féin team in the city with that work,” said Cllr McGowan.

He added: “This is an exciting time in politics across our island, and I want to wish whoever is selected to replace me on the local council all the very best.

“I look forward to working with them as we build towards a better, fairer and united Ireland for everyone."