West Tyrone MLA Maolíosa McHugh has announced that he will not be standing in the 2027 Assembly election.
McHugh has been an MLA since he was co-opted in 2019 after losing his seat on Derry City and Strabane District Council in the same year. First elected to Strabane District Council in 2011, he served as Mayor of the new ‘super council’ between 2017 and 2018.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the MLA said: “It has been the honour of my life to represent Sinn Féin and serve the people of the Derg Ward and West Tyrone.
“As both a councillor and an MLA, I have, through my office in Strabane, endeavoured without prejudice to serve all in the constituency.
“I have taken every opportunity to further the cause of a new and united Ireland and to promote the Irish language as something to be shared by all.
“I will continue in my role as an MLA for the coming months but have taken this decision so we can plan for continued growth and a successful election in 2027.
“I want to pay tribute to the party leadership, my Assembly colleagues and local party workers for all their support and hard work in making a difference to the lives of workers, families and communities.
“In particular, I wish to acknowledge all who voted for me as a councillor and MLA, and gave me the opportunity to represent them, for which I am eternally grateful.
“I will continue to be involved with Sinn Féin and look forward to building our party nationally and working towards a new Ireland.”
McHugh is the second Sinn Fein MLA to confirm they will not be standing in 2027, after Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy made the announcement in February.
