Naomi Bailie is new Council Chair

Downpatrick Sinn Fein Councillor Naomi Bailie has been elected as the first ever Chairperson of the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council at the last meeting of the Shadow Council tonight in Downpatrick.

Crotleive SDLP Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick was elected as Vice Chairperson.

The new Chairperson is a Downpatrick Sinn Fein Councillor and a member of Sinn Fein's Enterprise and Investment steering group as well as part of the Ard Fheis Steering Committee. Cllr Bailie replaces Cllr Daire Hughes and Cllr William Walker the Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council and Chairman of Down District Council respectively.

They both take up their posts from midnight tonight when the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council comes into being.