Caitlin Deeney has stepped down as a Sinn Féin councillor for the Waterside DEA on Derry City and Strabane District Council.
In a statement released on social media, Deeney confirmed that she is stepping down for personal reasons.
“I have taken the very difficult decision to step down from my role as a Councillor for the Waterside DEA due to personal reasons,” she said.
“It’s been a huge privilege to represent the Waterside and this decision is something that I hope people will recognise has not been taken lightly,” she added.
She was first elected as a councillor in the 2023 local election.
It was the first time ever that Sinn Féin won more than one seat in the Waterside DEA, with Christopher Jackson returning to the council alongside Ms Deeney. The party went from 11 councillors in Derry City and Strabane in 2019 to 18 in 2023.
Her statement continued: “I’m immensely proud of the work our Sinn Féin team is doing to deliver better council services, work towards a better future for our communities and represent all across our City and District. However for me at this time, my focus needs to be elsewhere.”
“My time in Council has always been about doing the best I can for the people I represent and I therefore want to thank the good people of the Waterside for placing their trust in me and giving me the opportunity to be their voice in council.”
Sinn Fein will now have to select a replacement to be co-opted onto the council.
