Tributes paid after former Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson passes away
TRIBUTES have been paid to Sean Neeson, the former leader of the Alliance Party, who has passed away at the age of 79.
Mr Neeson, a former school teacher, joined the party in 1977 and that same year was elected to Carrickfergus Borough Council, later serving as mayor between 1993 and 1994.
In 1998, he was elected as MLA for East Antrim and also as Alliance Party leader, replacing John Alderdice.
He remained leader until 2001 and was twice re-elected to the Assembly before announcing his decision to step down ahead of the 2011 election to spend more time with his family.
When he stepped down from Carrickfergus Borough Council in 2013, he was its longest-serving member with 36 years of service. 'Always seeking to build bridges'
Current Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described Mr Neeson's death as like losing 'part of our history'.
"My thoughts and prayers today are with Sean's family and friends," she said.
"But today, Alliance has also lost a part of our history.
"Sean showed leadership at a time when the party needed it, and we will always be grateful to him for that.
"Known for getting things done, Sean was a dedicated public servant who delivered for everyone in Carrickfergus as a Councillor and then the wider East Antrim area when he became an MLA, a role he was delighted to take on.
"In later years, Sean's passion for Alliance and Northern Ireland as a whole continued, and I was delighted he was well enough to join us at Conference just last year."
Deputy leader Eóin Tennyson, MLA for Upper Bann, added: "I'm deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Neeson.
"Sean steered Alliance through challenging times, always seeking to build bridges where division and sectarianism loomed.
"He served our party and the people of East Antrim with distinction.
"My thoughts and condolences are with Sean's family and loved ones." 'Quiet conviction'
The DUP's Sammy Wilson, who served as an MLA for East Antrim from 2003 until 2015, said he was saddened by the loss of his friend.
"Whilst we disagreed on most issues, nevertheless, we were always able to treat each other as friends," he said.
"Indeed, we worked together on a number of issues over the years and even after Sean dropped out of politics, we still had good old-fashioned political discussions when we met at civic events."
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood posted on Twitter/X: "Really sorry to hear that Sean Neeson has died.
"He had a quiet conviction and was well respected across Ireland and Britain for his empathy and genuine approach to getting things done."
Meanwhile, former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, now a member of the House of Lords, wrote: "I served in the Assembly with Sean and always found him to be courteous, respectful and above all a person of reconciliation."
See More: Alliance Party, Sean Neeson
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Post
10 hours ago
- Irish Post
Tributes paid after former Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson passes away
TRIBUTES have been paid to Sean Neeson, the former leader of the Alliance Party, who has passed away at the age of 79. Mr Neeson, a former school teacher, joined the party in 1977 and that same year was elected to Carrickfergus Borough Council, later serving as mayor between 1993 and 1994. In 1998, he was elected as MLA for East Antrim and also as Alliance Party leader, replacing John Alderdice. He remained leader until 2001 and was twice re-elected to the Assembly before announcing his decision to step down ahead of the 2011 election to spend more time with his family. When he stepped down from Carrickfergus Borough Council in 2013, he was its longest-serving member with 36 years of service. 'Always seeking to build bridges' Current Alliance Party leader Naomi Long described Mr Neeson's death as like losing 'part of our history'. "My thoughts and prayers today are with Sean's family and friends," she said. "But today, Alliance has also lost a part of our history. "Sean showed leadership at a time when the party needed it, and we will always be grateful to him for that. "Known for getting things done, Sean was a dedicated public servant who delivered for everyone in Carrickfergus as a Councillor and then the wider East Antrim area when he became an MLA, a role he was delighted to take on. "In later years, Sean's passion for Alliance and Northern Ireland as a whole continued, and I was delighted he was well enough to join us at Conference just last year." Deputy leader Eóin Tennyson, MLA for Upper Bann, added: "I'm deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sean Neeson. "Sean steered Alliance through challenging times, always seeking to build bridges where division and sectarianism loomed. "He served our party and the people of East Antrim with distinction. "My thoughts and condolences are with Sean's family and loved ones." 'Quiet conviction' The DUP's Sammy Wilson, who served as an MLA for East Antrim from 2003 until 2015, said he was saddened by the loss of his friend. "Whilst we disagreed on most issues, nevertheless, we were always able to treat each other as friends," he said. "Indeed, we worked together on a number of issues over the years and even after Sean dropped out of politics, we still had good old-fashioned political discussions when we met at civic events." SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood posted on Twitter/X: "Really sorry to hear that Sean Neeson has died. "He had a quiet conviction and was well respected across Ireland and Britain for his empathy and genuine approach to getting things done." Meanwhile, former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, now a member of the House of Lords, wrote: "I served in the Assembly with Sean and always found him to be courteous, respectful and above all a person of reconciliation." See More: Alliance Party, Sean Neeson
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Ballymena
A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility during several nights of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. The attack coincided with a third night of public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said in a social media post: 'Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. 'Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this.' The PSNI deployed riot police in Ballymena for a third night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Officers also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them. Missiles were thrown at officers in the Clonavon Terrace area on Wednesday night. Earlier, a senior officer said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following further violence in Ballymena. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared. He said there were disgraceful scenes in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey on Tuesday, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one was charged. Over 30 police officers injured British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. Providing an update on the policing operation on Wednesday, Mr Henderson said: 'We are taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place. 'This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas.' He said they have requested about 80 officers through mutual aid. Riot police block a road in Ballymena following a second night of violence in Ballymena Picture: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Mr Starmer condemned the 'mindless attacks' against police. 'I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland, including against PSNI officers,' Mr Starmer told MPs. 'It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.' In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Féin, DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation. Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' She said ministers stood full-square with the young girl who was subject to the alleged sex attack but added the criminal justice system must be allowed to deal with that case. 'Separate to that is the racism that we're seeing… people being firebombed out of their homes, people having their doors knocked in, having their windows being smashed, families being intimidated,' Ms O'Neill added. 'That is absolutely unacceptable and everything that needs to be done to bring it to an end is our focus in terms of the engagement we have with the PSNI.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery', adding: 'We've been in contact with the chief constable, and in constant contact with the PSNI throughout last night in terms of what was happening on the ground. 'I think today is about sending a very clear message that violence is wrong, it is entirely unacceptable. It must stop.' With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. A police car drives past a burnt-out overturned car on the street following a second night of violence in Ballymena. 'Violence needs to stop' DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. Police said their officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night. The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannon as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. Police also reported that 'sporadic disorder' had also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well as incidents in north Belfast. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.
The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
Leisure centre in Larne set alight by rioters as violence extends beyond Ballymena
LAST UPDATE | 20 mins ago A LEISURE CENTRE in Larne in Northern Ireland has been set on fire by rioters as violence seen in Ballymena over the last two nights spreads to other areas. Footage shared online shows masked individuals smashing windows and setting fires outside Larne Leisure Centre. The fire has since been brought under control, according to the local fire service. Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said: 'Larne does not need this.' Police have been deployed for a third night in a row in Ballymena. The Belfast Telegraph has reported that police are also at the scene of disorder in Coleraine , where footage online has shown bins set alight near a train track. Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this. — Danny Donnelly MLA (@DannyDonnelly1) June 11, 2025 Ulster Unionist Party MLA John Stewart described the events in Larne as 'despicable and disgraceful' 'The violence, vandalism, and intimidation seen this evening have absolutely no place in our society,' Stewart said. Advertisement He said the leisure centre is a 'vital community asset at the very heart of Larne' and that 'to see it targeted in such a senseless and deliberate manner is both truly shocking and deeply saddening'. Riot police have been deployed to different parts of Antrim, including in Larne (pictured) this evening. Alamy Alamy The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has deployed riot police in Ballymena for the third consecutive night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Petrol bombs and fireworks, as well as other projectiles, have been thrown at police this evening. Earlier today, the PSNI requested assistance from police forces in Britain following the violence in Ballymena over the last two nights. The PSNI said 17 officers were injured, and six people were arrested last night, after violent disorder erupted for a second night in a row. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Riot police block a road close to Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena this evening Jonathan McCambridge / PA Jonathan McCambridge / PA / PA Alongside the injuring of police officers, much of the violence has been targeted at homes that rioters believe to belong to people from eastern European countries. Related Reads PSNI seeks reinforcements from Britain as Starmer condemns 'mindless' Ballymena violence I went to talk to people in Ballymena, and was told to make myself 'scarce' or there'd be trouble On Monday, two teenage boys appeared in court charged with the sexual assault of a young teenage girl. The two teenagers spoke through a Romanian translator. The Journal has documented some of the damage done by rioters in Ballymena, including to the home of a Bulgarian man who was targeted, a neighbouring home where the window of a child's bedroom was smashed in, and a home belonging to Filipinos who had to leave because of the extensive damage. On Clonavon Terrace, where four homes were burnt on Monday night, a Romanian teenager told The Journal that the rioters claim to be fighting for the victim of the alleged sexual assault but they're 'just destroying their own town'. 'Where is the justice for this poor girl? This isn't justice for her, this is just racism destroying where we live,' the teenager said. A pram and wheelchair outside the smashed window of a child's bedroom in Ballymena Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal Additional reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
