The SDLP has selected a new councillor in Newry following the departure of Michael Savage last month.
Killian Feehan, from Bessbrook, will now step into Mr Savage’s shoes after he took up his new role as CEO of Newry Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Feehan was confirmed by SDLP members in the area this week.
Councillor Feehan said: “It’s an honour to have been selected to replace Michael Savage as SDLP Councillor for Newry. I want to thank Michael for his service and dedication to the people of Newry over the years. Michael has left a proud legacy as a strong advocate for working people on both sides of the community, and I want to continue his hard work and the representation he has provided to local people.
“I am extremely passionate about our local community, and I want to see Newry thriving. I am determined to play my part in making Newry a better place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business.
“Enormous effort is required from our local council on so many fronts: protecting services at Daisy Hill Hospital, ensuring that households and businesses bounce back from the devastation of last week’s floods, and fighting for opportunities, investment, and development for Newry at every turn. I want to be on the frontline of those fights.
“It is humbling to be moving into the seat once held by my great grandfather, Tommy Markey, in the 1960’s. Local government needs to be delivering for local people, and I want to recapture the spirit of civic pride, opportunity and delivery that defined our Council in days gone by. I am honoured to have the opportunity to be a strong advocate for the people of Newry, and to ensure that the voice and values of local people are heard in the Council Chamber.”
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP said: “Killian has been a committed SDLP activist in the Newry area for many years and I’m delighted that he has been selected by local members to serve as a councillor. Killian will make a fantastic addition to our strong SDLP team in Newry and right across the council area and I know that he is determined to give everything to tackle the issues impacting people locally.
“The SDLP has a long and proud history in Newry and I know that Killian is determined to build on that going forward and advance our party’s renewed mission to end division and build a new Ireland.
“As evidenced by the recent flooding, SDLP representatives work tirelessly on behalf of the local community and I have no doubt that Killian has a huge contribution to make both to our party and to the people of Newry.”
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty added: “Having worked along with Killian for several years now I know just how passionate and committed he is about helping people. Killian has an abiding determination to see Newry reach its full potential as a city where ambition is harnessed and people are given the same access to services and opportunities as anywhere else on this island.
“I am confident he will be an excellent representative for people in this area and I know that he will be a relentless advocate on the challenges facing our local community, while also stopping at nothing to showcase the best of what we have to offer.
“I wish Killian ádh mór in his new role.”
Councillor Feehan attended The Abbey CBS in Newry and studied at Queen’s University in Belfast before moving to Australia in 2013.
There he spent five years working in nonprofit management, helping to raise over $15million for organisations supporting cancer research, children’s welfare, and suicide prevention.
Since 2011, Killian has been active in supporting education projects for Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, and in 2023 he led a group of local volunteers to the West Bank to deliver university scholarships funded by the community in Newry & South Armagh for Palestinian students in need of financial assistance.
Killian now works as Parliamentary Assistant to Justin McNulty MLA and represented the SDLP as a candidate for Slieve Gullion in the 2023 Local Elections.
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