Latest news with #SeanNeeson
Irish Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Tributes after death of former Alliance leader Sean Neeson at 79
Tributes have been paid following the death of former Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson at the age of 79. Current party leader Naomi Long said Mr Neeson had been a dedicated public servant. Mr Neeson was first elected to Carrickgergus Borough Council in 1977 and later served as mayor. Later he became an East Antrim MLA and served as Alliance leader between 1998 and 2001. 'My thoughts and prayers today are with Sean's family and friends,' said Ms Long. She added: '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.' DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Mr Neeson had been a 'strong voice for his constituents' as a political leader. He said: 'He was a passionate advocate for the beliefs and principles that guided him. 'His respectful approach earned him recognition across the political spectrum. 'We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends, and to all in the Alliance Party who mourn his passing today.' Stewart Dickson, an Alliance Party colleague of Mr Neeson on Carrickfergus Council and as an East Antrim MLA, said he was 'saddened to hear of the death of my good friend'. Alliance Party deputy leader Eoin Tennyson paid tribute on social media. He said: '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.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Alliance leader Sean Neeson dies
Former Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson has died at the age of 79. Mr Neeson served as leader of the party from 1998 to 2001. He was elected as party leader following Lord Alderdice's resignation. Mr Neeson served as a Stormont assembly member for East Antrim for more than a decade and was active in politics for decades. Alliance leader Naomi Long paid tribute to Mr Neeson and said he had shown 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," she added. "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." Mr Neeson was also a member of the Northern Ireland Forum in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement and served as mayor of Carrickfergus from 1993 to 1994. A former teacher, he was Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1982 to 1986. He was also a member of the Northern Ireland Police Authority from 1991 to 1997. One of his predecessors as Alliance leader, John Cushnahan, said he was mourning someone "who was not only a close political colleague but, more importantly, a close friend for over five decades". He added that Mr Neeson's political contribution had "often been underestimated and his record of public service, has not been given the true credit it deserved". Lord Weir, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said Mr Neeson was a "good public representative and a decent man". Neeson stands down from assembly
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Sean Neeson: Former Alliance Party leader dies aged 79
Former Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson has died at the age of Neeson served as leader of the party from 1998 to was elected as party leader following Lord Alderdice's Neeson served as a Stormont assembly member for East Antrim for more than a decade and was active in politics for decades. Alliance leader Naomi Long paid tribute to Mr Neeson and said he had shown 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," she added."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."Mr Neeson was also a member of the Northern Ireland Forum in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement and served as mayor of Carrickfergus from 1993 to 1994.A former teacher, he was Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 1982 to was also a member of the Northern Ireland Police Authority from 1991 to 1997.
