Breaking: Sinn Fein choose a woman to lead Mid Ulster District Council

Councillor Linda Dillon was chosen for the role from a Sinn Fein delegation of 18, four of them female.

Delighted to have been honoured by her colleagues in this way, she said the party is keen “set a good example in the first term at the new council”.

Although admitting to feeling a little nervous about the role, she said she is ready to take the helm.

“This is history in the making and I’m delighted to be part of that,” Cllr Dillon said, “I’m excited about it and I think it will be a brilliant opportunity.

“I was sitting in Dungannon council chamber at the last meeting and looking around... and even though I know Michelle O’Neill was the only female chair, it still feels strange to sit and look around that whole chamber at all those pictures - and only one woman among them. Shame on them.

“The first year of the new council you have the opportunity to shape how it goes forward,” she added.

This includes coming to some sort of agreement over the sale of political emblems in council buildings, a move Cllr Dillon said was meant to make public offices neutral - not to offend.

“We had a great transition year,” she went on, “and I think Cathal did a very good job as our transition chair.

“He set a good example in how he controlled the chamber,” something she said she hopes to continue.

“My priority is the people of Mid Ulster,” Cllr Dillon added, “and what we need to do as a council to ensure that every person right across this district has a good quality of life.

“I believe that the community plan is going to be key to this, so we need to get it right and we can only do that by working together.

“We have an opportunity to create change for the better [so] we need to grasp this opportunity and use it as a tool to create a better Mid Ulster for all.”

It is understood that Sinn Fein has also chosen a female to lead the new Derry and Strabane District Council.