Eamonn McCann to resign as councillor for health reasons

Mr McCann (77), who was elected to the local authority’s Moor ward in the 2019 elections, says he was recently diagnosed with a neurological condition, known as Ataxia, which “has made it increasingly difficult” for him to fulfill his duty as a councillor.

The veteran socialist also revealed that he was diagnosed with epilepsy about 15 years ago.

However, he insisted he did not find this condition disabling as far as being a councillor or a MLA was concerned. He was a member of the Assembly for nine months between 2016-2017.

In a statement released this evening, the Derry man confirmed his intention to stand down: “I have made my intention known to my party, People Before Profit, and have asked the party to set in motion the procedure for selecting a new councillor in my place,” he said.

“I thank all those who voted for me in the last council election in 2019. I have done my best to deliver on the mandate given to me. I want to thank other councillors of all parties and independents for the many courtesies shown to me. I thank council staff for their assistance and forbearance. It has been a privilege to represent the Moor DEA, where I was born and reared.

“I have confidence that PBP will nominate a diligent and efficient councillor in my place and that she or he, alongside Shaun [Harkin], will continue to serve the interests of the people of the Moor and contribute to the struggle against oppression and against capitalism, the never-ending source of all our political ills.”