Council Honours Longest Serving Councillor

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage hosted a reception on Friday 26 May 2023 in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle to mark Councillor Dermot Curran’s retirement from Local Government after 50 years of public service.

Dermot has been dedicated to public service since his first election as a councillor in 1973 to the then Down District Council. Not only did he serve two terms as Chairperson, in 1986/87 and 2011/12, he continued to serve on the new Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, with his election in 2014.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “Our Council has been very fortunate to have many hard working and exemplary Councillors who strive to make this district a better place to live and work in  and no-one demonstrates this more clearly than Dermot who is highly respected by all Members of the Council, by Management and by his Community. Dermot has not only devoted his life to serving the people of our area, but he has been active as an executive member of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association since its inception. I know he will be greatly missed in his role as president of NILGA.

“During his time as an Elected Representative the former Cllr Curran has held positions in the Community Safety Partnership, the South-Eastern Health Local Commissioning Group, Down Rural Area Partnership, Peace IV Partnership, Partnership Panel for NI, ARC21, National Association of Councillors, FLAG Fisheries Fund and Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme. He has also been a member of the Eastern Group Environmental Health since its establishment acting as Chairperson in both 1987 and 2010.

“Cllr Curran has also focused his attention on improving the infrastructure and economic possibilities within the district. He led the Tri-Fisheries Partnership and, as part of this, was instrumental in securing funding for a major environmental improvement scheme in Downpatrick and has also campaigned for a much-needed hotel in Downpatrick.

“We often do not take the time to recognise the important work that the Council and Councillors do, year in and year out. I am pleased that we have been able to do so tonight.”