DUP selects ABC councillor and former Lord Mayor Gareth Wilson to replace outgoing MLA William Irwin
A former Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon has been selected as the new DUP MLA for Newry and Armagh.
The party officially announced on Friday that Councillor Gareth Wilson will take up the position when William Irwin formally stands down during the Assembly Christmas recess.
Cllr Wilson has completed 20 unbroken years of service as an elected representative for the Cusher area.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP said he was “delighted” that Cllr Wilson will be following in Mr Irwin’s footsteps.
"Gareth has been a dedicated and hard-working councillor for two decades now, working closely alongside William in the constituency. He will continue to be a champion for the people of Newry & Armagh within the Northern Ireland Assembly.
"As our candidate in last year’s General Election, Gareth will be known to people across the constituency. He brings not just experience, but enthusiasm to the role and he will be a valuable addition to our team in the Assembly.”
Cllr Wilson said it is “an honour” to have been chosen to fill the role.
"I have worked alongside William for almost 19 years and words cannot adequately describe his contribution to the constituency and the impact he has made. My focus will be on ensuring that ethos of hard work and delivery will continue in the years ahead,” he said.
"I want to thank the people of Cusher who have supported me over the last 20 years in local government. I am looking forward to taking that experience into the Northern Ireland Assembly to represent the people of the whole Newry & Armagh constituency.”