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.”