8 March 2013
Francie Molloy wins Mid Ulster by-election
Joint First Minister Martin McGuinness and Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill congratulate Francie Molloy on his by-election triumph
SINN FÉIN'S Francie Molloy retained the Mid Ulster Westminster seat for Sinn Féin in the by-election caused by the resignation of Martin McGuinness to concentrate on his role as joint First Minister.
The veteran civil rights activist and director of elections for Bobby Sands in 1981 secured 17,462 votes (47%) to the 12,781 (34%) polled by his closest rival, agreed unionist Nigel Lutton.
Speaking after the result was declared at the Cookstown Leisure Centre just after 1am on Friday morning, Francie said:
"I would like to thank my colleague and comrade Martin McGuinness for the work he has done this past 15 years in moving Mid Ulster forward.
"Martin is going to be a hard act to follow but we will try our best to do that and we will continue to build the process and work with everyone. I want to represent all the people of Mid Ulster, not just those who voted for me, not just the Sinn Féin support."
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