Maeve O'Neill to replace Eamonn McCann as People Before Profit Councillor for the Moor District Electoral Area on Derry City and Strabane District Council

Maeve O'Neill has been selected to replace Eamonn McCann on Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Maeve O'NeillMaeve O'Neill
Maeve O'Neill

Ms. O'Neill, who stood for People Before Profit in the Waterside District Electoral Area (DEA) in 2019, was announced as Councillor McCann's replacement on Saturday.

She said: “I’m honoured to be selected by my party to represent the people of the Moor and to continue the excellent work begun by Eamonn. This pandemic has exposed the harsh inequalities that exist in our society.

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"As a frontline healthcare worker, I have experienced first-hand the shocking mishandling of this pandemic by the government. This crisis has come on top of the many other crises we are facing - the housing crisis, mental health crisis, environmental crisis, education crisis, as well as a long-existing crisis within our health service which was on its knees before this pandemic even began.

“As we rebuild from this pandemic, we need to fight for a more equal and just society. We need to be active in our communities, to shape the change that puts the needs of people, communities and planet first. We will need to fight an austerity agenda which will hit hardest those already struggling. I want to amplify these campaigns on the ground and support communities to organise and be heard. I want to bring my experience as an activist and health worker to fight for this change."

Mr. McCann, who recently announced he was standing down as councillor in the Moor DEA a result of mobility issues arising from a neurological condition, known as ataxia, said: “I am delighted that Maeve O’Neill is to succeed me in representing the people of the Moor DEA.

"She is a seasoned campaigner, a leader of the environmental movement in the North West and a fighter for a better health and social care service across this island. She will be a champion for those left behind by the austerity policies that have seen families and communities devastated by growing poverty.”

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Foyleside People Before Profit Colr. Shaun Harkin said "Over many decades Eamonn has been a tireless advocate for Derry and everyone seeking justice and equality. And there's no doubt he will continue to do that. Maeve is a fantastic activist and People Before Profit representative.

"The political establishment want working class communities divided to continue on with pushing through privatisation, slashing funding for advice services and the criminal underfunding of public services.

"The last thing Stormont Executive parties want to see develop here is united resistance by working class people from all backgrounds against spiralling inequality, low-pay and social injustice. I look forward to Maeve being a voice of resistance in the Council and working with her to build a united fightback."