Gary Wilkinson has been co-opted by the Democratic Unionist Party to the Sperrin District Electoral Area on Derry City & Strabane District Council.
The previous DUP councillor in the Sperrin DEA was Allan Bresland, however, the circumstances surrounding this co-option are currently unknown.
Mr Wilkinson ran for election in May 2023 in the Faughan DEA on Derry City & Strabane District Council but failed to get elected.
“It is great to welcome Gary to our team of Councillors across Northern Ireland who are working to strengthen their communities. Gary has a vision for the Sperrin DEA and wants to build on the work of his predecessors, including Allan Bresland and Maurice Devenney who have worked hard over many years to serve the needs of the local community. He will be a strong voice for the unionist people of Sperrin and ensure their views and concerns are heard in the Council Chamber.“
– Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP leader
The co-option was announced on the DUP website on Friday, and was also posted on the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland’s website.
“I am looking forward to standing up for the people of Sperrin through the Council. This is a tremendous opportunity. Whilst unionists are the minority on the Council, I want to make sure the pro-union views from Sperrin are heard. Rather than driving up bills for working families, I want to deliver core services at the lowest cost for ratepayers. That will be my focus.”
– Cllr Gary Wilkinson
Gary Wilkinson is pictured third from left in the featured image
