SDLP's Nichola Mallon Becomes Belfast Lord Mayor

SDLP Councillor Nichola Mallon has been elected as the new Lord Mayor of Belfast.

For the first time in the city's history, all three civic dignitaries are now female, with Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Maire Hendron (Alliance) and High Sheriff Councillor Lydia Patterson (DUP) completing the line-up.

Councillor Mallon is now the third female Lord Mayor ever appointed in the city, following in the footsteps of Grace Bannister (Ulster Unionist) in 1981 and Naomi Long (Alliance) in 2009. She is also the first ever female, nationalist Mayor of Belfast.

The new Mayor was co-opted onto Belfast City Council representing the Oldpark district in January 2010, and was voted back onto Council at the recent Local Government Elections.

She currently sits on the Parks and Leisure Committee and the Licensing Committee.

Councillor Mallon said: "It is a tremendous honour to be appointed as the Lord Mayor of Belfast. I want to congratulate Máirtín Ó Muilleoir on a fantastic year in office and thank my own party for nominating me to take on such a privileged position.

"I have had the privilege of representing the Oldpark area, the place I grew up in, for the last four and a half years. The most wonderful part of being a councillor, for me, continues to be the many unsung heroes I get to meet - all those people who through their compassion and selflessness, makes this city the special place that it is.

"All of these people – our coaches, carers, volunteers, business people, community and faith workers - put their local community first. It is these very people, who too often go unnoticed, who have inspired my vision for my year as Lord Mayor."

(IT/MH)