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The Newry local council election count centre opened this morning at 9am in Newry Sports Centre following a break of just two hours from the previous nights count!
Over Friday night into Saturday 25 councillors were elected. Starting the results on Saturday were seasoned Newry Sinn Féin Councillor Valerie Harte returned on Count 1 along with new kid on the block Cathal King, the first two to be elected in Newry City. Next came Jonny Jackson, DUP in Rowallane followed by Alan Lewis, DUP and Jim Brennan, Sinn Féin in Slieve Croob.
It wasn't long before Newry elected two further Sinn Féin councillors Geraldine Kearns and Aidan Mathers thanks to the healthy surpliss from Harte and King. Terry Andrews, SDLP and Callum Bowsie, DUP and two Alliance Candidates Tierna Kelly, and David Lee-Surginor were duly elected in Rowallane.
Roisin Howell, Sinn Féin was elected to Slieve Croob followed by Andrew McMurray, Alliance and Siobhan O'Hare, Sinn Féin. Lastly 2022/2023 council chairperson Michael Savage and new candidate Doire Finn, SDLP were elected to Newry making up the 41 Councillors. It was a disappointing day for Newry Alliance candidate Helena Young who failed on her second attempt at gaining a council seat.
* Returning to form the new Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will be 20 Sinn Féin, 8 SDLP, 5 DUP, 5 Alliance, 2 Independent and 1 UUP. It's a gain of 4 seats for Sinn Féin and 2 for Alliance while other parties returned less or the same number.
The previous council was made up of 16 Sinn Féin, 11 SDLP, 5 DUP, 2 UUP, 3 Alliance, 3 Independent and 1 TUV.
* Correction - Its a gain for SF and Alliance
