Former Irish Labour Senator Mairia Cahill joins SDLP

Q Radio News

Former Irish Labour Senator - Mairia Cahill has joined the SDLP.

She is to be co-opted as a councillor for the party - in Lisburn and Castlereagh.

The 37 year-old will replace Christine Robb - who recently stepped down.

Following the announcement, Leader Colum Eastwood said:

"Mairia Cahill has an extremely strong record of speaking out against injustice, maltreatment and inequality; we are confident that her attributes are best placed to compliment the values vision of the SDLP, and we are delighted she has decided to make the SDLP her political home."

"Politics is too often sadly missing brave voices to call out right from wrong. The SDLP has always taken uncomfortable steps to deliver a fair and just society, and I am confident Mairia will play a prolific part in continuing to practice the politics others merely preach, by speaking truth to power."

The MLA for Lagan Valley Pat Catney added:

"The addition of Mairia Cahill to Lagan Valley SDLP is fantastic.

"Mairia will be an excellent asset to an already very able council group and I very much look forward to working alongside her in the time ahead."