The late Strabane Sinn Fein Councillor, Ivan Barr, and Pat McCourt who both died within the past year, are to be remembered by their DPP colleagues with a memorial tree or plaque to be displayed in the Strabane District Council offices.

Speaking to the ‘Journal’ earlier this week, Ivan’s wife, Judy Barr said that she welcomed any type of memorial for her husband, who passed away in May this year after a short battle with cancer.

“It’s still all very raw and I have not got a chance to discuss it with any of my family yet but of course I would welcome any kind of memorial that recognised Ivan’s work with the DPP. I don’t think the council have decided whether it is going to be a tree or plaque but either way I would be happy to see something put up,” she said.

Community activist, Pat McCourt who tragically died after his car was involved in a collision with a lorry outside Omagh in October of last year, worked for many years as manager of Woolworths in Strabane.

Despite taking early retirement from his management post, Mr. McCourt remained extremely active within the local community. He was twice president of Strabane Lifford Rotary Club and received the highest award available within the organisation, the Paul Harris Award. He also held the post of vice-chairman of Strabane Lifford Development Commission, responsible for the erection of the Let the Dance Begin sculptures.

During his lifetime Mr. McCourt also held the posts of Director of Strabane Enterprise Agency and Director of the Strabane IT Centre. He was also a member of the Strabane Community Liaison Committee, an independent member of Strabane District Policing Partnership and a prolific fundraiser for numerous charities.