Carál ní Chuilín co-opted by Sinn Féin in Belfast

Caral ni Chuilin

The prospective replacement Sinn Féin Councillor in Belfast, Carál ní Chuilín, spoke of her pleasure and of the challenges ahead before she attended a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday night to be co-opted to the seat of outgoing Councillor Gerard Brophy, who had to retire due to ill health.

Speaking before the full council meeting, Ní Chuilín a republican ex-prisoner who has been oordinator of Tar Anall for the past nine years, said: "I am very proud to have been asked to take a seat on Belfast City Council.

"In particular I am honoured to be replacing Gerard Brophy, whose tireless work and dedication on behalf of the people of North Belfast is a widely accepted fact among all parties in City Hall and most especially his constituents in Carrick Hill, the New Lodge and further afield.

"Sinn Féin is the largest political party in the city and has been the engine for change over the last decade. It is both a challenge and a privilege to become part of that team.

"My main interests are in the fields of human rights and the Irish language.

However, I am also aware of the important role councillors play within our local communities. Being a native of north Belfast I am acutely aware of the many needs of the local community, and I look forward to working with my colleagues from across the city in the time ahead."

"Carál has been and activist all her adult life and will prove a great addition to our council team," said local representative Gerry Kelly. "In replacing Gerard Brophy she will be following a commendable and dedicated worker who toped the poll in the last election.

"I am sure Carál will be more than capable of doing an excellent job representing all the community in north Belfast and I wish her all the best."

Carál was born and bred in the New Lodge where she still lives. She is a mother of three children and in March of this year became a grandmother for the first time.