Menu
06/08/2021
Tributes Paid To Alex Maskey
Sinn Féin Vice President and NI's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has paid tribute to Alex Maskey following his announcement that he will not be standing in the next Assembly election.
Michelle O'Neill said: "I want to thank Alex for his years of dedicated service as a Republican activist, he has been a ferocious champion of the rights of communities within the Assembly, in Belfast City Council and on the ground.
"A former docker from North Belfast, Alex has been a courageous activist in Republican politics over the course of many decades always leading by example.
"He was the first Sinn Féin Councillor elected to Belfast City Council in 1983 and led the way for real transformative change within the city.
"He was imprisoned without trial, faced down sustained threats and attacks by British state forces and their loyalist surrogates and was almost killed in an attack at his home which left him with permanent injuries. A close friend and party colleague Alan Lundy was also killed in an attack on Alex's family home. None of this deterred or intimidated Alex.
"During the Good Friday Agreement negotiations to achieve lasting peace on our island, Alex Maskey was central to the Sinn Féin team and he has served the people of South and West Belfast with absolute dedication and distinction since the establishment of the institutions.
"His level-headed approach and strong leadership have been exemplary in his position as the Speaker of the Assembly and has won respect from across the chamber.
"Republican activists of the calibre of Alex Maskey don't retire; Alex will remain a dedicated activist to deliver for the people of Belfast and to achieve a new and united Ireland for all.
"I want to wish Alex and his family the very best of luck for the future."
Michelle O'Neill said: "I want to thank Alex for his years of dedicated service as a Republican activist, he has been a ferocious champion of the rights of communities within the Assembly, in Belfast City Council and on the ground.
"A former docker from North Belfast, Alex has been a courageous activist in Republican politics over the course of many decades always leading by example.
"He was the first Sinn Féin Councillor elected to Belfast City Council in 1983 and led the way for real transformative change within the city.
"He was imprisoned without trial, faced down sustained threats and attacks by British state forces and their loyalist surrogates and was almost killed in an attack at his home which left him with permanent injuries. A close friend and party colleague Alan Lundy was also killed in an attack on Alex's family home. None of this deterred or intimidated Alex.
"During the Good Friday Agreement negotiations to achieve lasting peace on our island, Alex Maskey was central to the Sinn Féin team and he has served the people of South and West Belfast with absolute dedication and distinction since the establishment of the institutions.
"His level-headed approach and strong leadership have been exemplary in his position as the Speaker of the Assembly and has won respect from across the chamber.
"Republican activists of the calibre of Alex Maskey don't retire; Alex will remain a dedicated activist to deliver for the people of Belfast and to achieve a new and united Ireland for all.
"I want to wish Alex and his family the very best of luck for the future."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 June 2002
Alex Maskey invested as 'Mayor' of Belfast
Belfast saw its first republican Lord Mayor invested last night after Alliance Party councillors gave their backing to Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey as first citizen. Mr Maskey, a councillor since 1983, was voted in after the first round of voting netted the leading republican 26 votes he needed to win the simple majority ballot.
Alex Maskey invested as 'Mayor' of Belfast
Belfast saw its first republican Lord Mayor invested last night after Alliance Party councillors gave their backing to Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey as first citizen. Mr Maskey, a councillor since 1983, was voted in after the first round of voting netted the leading republican 26 votes he needed to win the simple majority ballot.
12 March 2020
Bullet Posted To Sinn Fein Councillor
A bullet has been posted through the letterbox of a Sinn Fein Councillor in Co Antrim, sparking condemnation from the party. Glenavy representative Gary McCleave was at home with his wife and young children when the act was carried out on Wednesday night, 11 March.
Bullet Posted To Sinn Fein Councillor
A bullet has been posted through the letterbox of a Sinn Fein Councillor in Co Antrim, sparking condemnation from the party. Glenavy representative Gary McCleave was at home with his wife and young children when the act was carried out on Wednesday night, 11 March.
03 February 2010
Robinson Faces Down DUP 'Division'
Senior DUP members have rejected claims some of the party's MLAs threatened to resign over a proposed policing and justice deal. Deputy party leader Nigel Dodds said Mr Robinson has the DUP's "total support" after weeks of intensified negotiations with Sinn Fein centered on the transfer of further powers to Belfast.
Robinson Faces Down DUP 'Division'
Senior DUP members have rejected claims some of the party's MLAs threatened to resign over a proposed policing and justice deal. Deputy party leader Nigel Dodds said Mr Robinson has the DUP's "total support" after weeks of intensified negotiations with Sinn Fein centered on the transfer of further powers to Belfast.
07 October 2008
Policing Board Successfully 'Engages'
Recognising that policing is a complex issue, members of the NI Policing Board's Community Engagement Committee have hailed their recent public meeting of the Board a "successful step in implementing the Community Engagement Strategy".
Policing Board Successfully 'Engages'
Recognising that policing is a complex issue, members of the NI Policing Board's Community Engagement Committee have hailed their recent public meeting of the Board a "successful step in implementing the Community Engagement Strategy".
06 March 2020
Stormont Speaker Warned Of 'Imminent Attack' Against Him
The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has been informed of an "imminent attack" against him. Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey revealed he had been visited by the PSNI on Thursday and told a threat had been received.
Stormont Speaker Warned Of 'Imminent Attack' Against Him
The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has been informed of an "imminent attack" against him. Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey revealed he had been visited by the PSNI on Thursday and told a threat had been received.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
