Councillor Gareth Wilson has been co-opted by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) as their new MLA for Newry and Armagh.
He replaces William Irwin, who recently announced his retirement after almost 20 years in Stormont.
Wilson has been a councillor for the Cusher District Electoral Area (DEA) for 20 years, and has previously served as Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
“I am delighted that Gareth will be following in the footsteps of William Irwin as DUP MLA for Newry & Armagh. Gareth has been a dedicated and hard-working councillor for two decades now, working closely alongside William in the constituency. He will continue to be a champion for the people of Newry & Armagh within the Northern Ireland Assembly.
As our candidate in last year’s General Election Gareth will be known to people across the constituency. He brings not just experience, but enthusiasm to the role and he will be a valuable addition to our team in the Assembly.”
– Gavin Robinson MP, DUP leader
Mr Wilson thanked his constituents in Cusher for their support over the last 20 years, and said “it is an honour to have been chosen by my party to fill this important role.”
“I have worked alongside William for almost 19 years and words cannot adequately describe his contribution to the constituency and the impact he has made. My focus will be on ensuring that ethos of hard work and delivery will continue in the years ahead.
I want to thank the people of Cusher who have supported me over the last 20 years in Local Government. I am looking forward to taking that experience into the Northern Ireland Assembly to represent the people of the whole Newry & Armagh constituency.
I thank the Lord for my health, strength and guidance he has provided, and I will continue to place my trust in him.”
– Gareth Wilson
The DUP will now need to select a replacement for Gareth Wilson on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Wilson will serve as the only unionist MLA in Newry and Armagh, with three Sinn Féin MLAs and one from the Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP).
