Statement of sympathy from the Mayor, Councillor Alan Givan

January 27, 2020

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Alan Givan speaking about the passing of Seamus Mallon, said: “Seamus was a well-known politician who played a vital role in brokering peace in Northern Ireland and led to the setting up of the Northern Ireland Assembly. On behalf of the council, I would like to convey deepest sympathies to his daughter Órla and her family circle at this time. Born in Markethill he chose teaching as his career and progressed to Headmaster before retiring.

“He became the Deputy Leader of the SDLP in 1979 and won seats in several elections over the years including the one to Stormont in June 1998. In December of that year, he became Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, serving alongside Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble. Seamus was an advocate for police reform in Northern Ireland to create a police service capable of attracting and sustaining support from the whole community.

“Following his retirement from politics in 2001 Seamus was conferred the Freedom of Drogheda in 2018 and had his autobiography ‘A Shared Home Place’ published in 2019. His passing after a short illness will reunite him with his late wife Gertrude who died in October 2016. Seamus was a gentleman who loved sport and drama in equal measures. His family remain in the thoughts and prayers of many across Northern Ireland as he is laid to rest today,” he concluded.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has opened Books of Condolence for those wishing to write messages of sympathy for his loved ones. These are available in Lagan Valley Island, Bradford Court, Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, Dundonald international Ice Bowl and the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum.