Kelly welcomes new councillors
Mrs Kelly congratulated the new councillors, which she described as “experienced”. She also congratulated the two outgoing councillors, Declan McAlinden and Joe Nelson who retained their seats and who were the first nationalist councillors to find spots on the new Super Council for the Craigavon and Lurgan District Electoral Areas respectively.
The assemblywoman thanked Team SDLP for what she described as “a hard fought and successful campaign”, in particular candidates Pat Mc Dade and Thomas Larkham, both of whom increased considerably the SDLP vote in their respective areas, and Eamon McNeill who was narrowly beaten for the last seat in the Portadown area by a unionist candidate.
Mrs Kelly said: “Eamon has clearly put down a marker and I have no doubt he will take the seat next time around.”