Donnelly makes ‘Super Council’ history

Prominent Derry republican Gary Donnelly has made history by becoming the first Independent councillor to chair a committee on the newly-formed Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Cllr Donnelly (pictured) took over the hot seat of the Council’s Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee held in the Guildhall this afternoon.

He took over the role as vice-chairperson of the committee after chairperson, Sinn Fein’s Sandra Duffy, was unable to attend.

Speaking at the meeting, fellow Independent Councillor Paul Gallagher, said he welcomed the “new chair”, adding he hoped Cllr Donnelly would be “the first of many.”

He added: “The way things are going, I think we are going to see more Independent councillors chair more committees.”

Yesterday, SDLP Cllr Patsy Kelly became the latest Independent on the local authority after quitting the party.