Irish News Editorial on Retirement of Alban Maginness
Posted By: January 05, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
The successful nomination of Alban Maginness as the first Catholic and nationalist lord mayor of Belfast in 1997 was a significant breakthrough in the pre-devolution days when the city hall was still regarded as a bastion of unionism.
Mr Maginness had an impressive term of civic office before going on to represent the flashpoint constituency of north Belfast with huge dignity and commitment in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The lawyer and SDLP veteran has now decided to retire from politics in March, as we report today, bringing an end to a distinguished career of over three decades as an elected representative.
He will stand down with the best wishes of all those he has worked with, across the main traditions in our society, during his time in public life.
Mr Maginness had an impressive term of civic office before going on to represent the flashpoint constituency of north Belfast with huge dignity and commitment in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The lawyer and SDLP veteran has now decided to retire from politics in March, as we report today, bringing an end to a distinguished career of over three decades as an elected representative.
He will stand down with the best wishes of all those he has worked with, across the main traditions in our society, during his time in public life.
