WATCH: Veteran Republican Tony Hassan's coffin at Shantallow Monument

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has expressed sadness at the death of long-serving Derry councillor and party colleague, Tony Hassan.

Ms McDonald said: “On behalf of the Sinn Féin leadership, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Tony’s wife Christine, his children Ciarán and Áine, his grandchildren and the wider Hassan family.”

She added: “He was a larger than life, much-loved and selfless character who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others and epitomised what it was to be a local councillor.

“Tony Hassan was grounded in community life. He was at the heart of working to transform the Greater Shantallow Area and to build Sinn Féin in the city over the decades, 21 years of those serving as an elected representative. 

“Tony never stood still. He will be fondly remembered for his determination to deliver more homes for families and the development of the Skeoge Road and surrounding areas, famously dubbed 'Hassan’s Highway', in honour of one of his greatest achievements.

“He will be sadly missed by the whole community and everyone who knew and loved him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Tony's died peacefully at the Foyle Hospice on Monday morning.

“He was the beloved husband of Christine, loving father of Ciaran and Aine, father-in-law of Maureen, devoted grandfather of Dearbhaile, Callum, Niamh, Conal, Caoimhin, Tara and Oisin and dear brother of Dessie and the late Ann.

“Tony's remains will be reposing in his home, 134, Elm Grove, from 12pm on Tuesday. His Funeral is from there on Wednesday (February 21) at at 10.20 am for 11 o’clock Requiem Mass in St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill. Interment afterwards in the City cemetery.

“Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers, if wished, to the Foyle Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, Derry, BT48 8JE.

“Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul.”

Paying tribute to Tony, local publishing company Colmcille Press, which released his memoir: ‘From Old Streets to New Homes: A Memoir of Derry, Bridge Street and Shantallow’, just before Christmas said working with Tony over the past months was a real pleasure and a great learning experience.

Colmcille Press added: "Bhí an-bhrón orainn a chloisteáil go bhfuil ár gcara mór, an t-údar, Tony Hassan ar slí na fírinne. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

"It was heart-warming to see the Shantallow community and the Dungiven community turn out in such large numbers at his launches before Christmas. And despite his serious illness, it was a measure of the man, that in his final days he was still organising a further book launch in aid of the Foyle Hospice.

Long-serving Derry Sinn Féin councillor Tony Hassan has died

Tribute paid to the former veteran councillor