Write a commentNewry Rainbow Community have elected a new Chairperson following last weeks AGM held in Rainbow House, Monaghan Street.
Newry man Damian McShane replaces out-going Chairperson Rory Rafferty in the post. Damian was the first Chairperson of the NRC when it was formed in 2004!
Commenting on his election Damian thanked the outgoing Chairperson and looked forward to working for the group. “I am very pleased to be elected to chairperson of the NRC and look forward to the challenges ahead. The NRC has been very close to my heart and I will endeavour to do the best I can for the organisation in all I do in the the term ahead.
“Many thanks to the out going Chairperson Rory Rafferty for all he has done in bringing the NRC to the present and I hope I can continue on the road that has been set through his diligence and perseverance. As we in the NRC are a community I know that their experience and expertise will be of valued help to me in the forthcoming office and year ahead.”
Damian is Newry Unite Union, Equality Officer and spokesperson Martin McKeown added his congratulations. "Unite stands firm on equality, human rights, workers rights, gender egalitarianism and the right for all human beings to express their fundamental right to love; free from prejudice and fear.
“The NRC have been a beacon of hope for the LGBT community and an inspiration to the broader community as a whole. We within Unite would like to congratulate Damian Mc Shane on his appointment to Chairman; we have no doubt Damian will be a force for the good and will fight with great gusto for the LGBT community.”
Concluding he added “The Newry Unite community and Industrial branches offer our full support to Damian and the NRC committee over the coming year".
The Current Secretary and P.R.O Damien McKevitt and Columba O’Hare respectively continue in their posts and Karen Rafferty was elected as Treasurer.
