Mid and East Antrim councillors stood for a minute’s silence in tribute to residents and former council officials who died recently.
Speaking at this month’s meeting of the council at The Braid, in Ballymena, on Monday evening, the Mayor, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said:
“I was saddened to learn of the recent death of George McKinley, former town clerk and chief executive of the legacy Larne Borough Council.”
Mr McKinley served in these posts from 1977 until his retirement in 1997.
Ald Mulvenna extended Mid and East Antrim’s sincere condolences to his wife Agnes, his family and friends. “Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time,” she said.
George McKinley
The Mayor continued: “I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Noel Magee, former deputy town clerk of the legacy Carrickfergus Borough Council. On behalf of members, I would extend our sincere condolences to Noel’s wife Vivienne, his family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.
“I was also saddened to hear of the death of Jennifer Fulton, former change manager, prior to RPA (Review of Public Administration) and laterally, chief executive of Ulster Wildlife. Jennifer was a passionate advocate of wildlife and the wider environment. On behalf of members, I would extend our sincere condolences to Jennifer’s husband Norman, her family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the recent sad news of the tragic death of Leah McCrea-Sloan, a former pupil of Larne High School. No words can reflect the huge sense of loss and pain being felt by her loved ones.
“Our thoughts are also with our emergency services who responded to this incident and I thank them all for their efforts. On behalf of members, I would extend our sincere condolences to Leah’s family and friends and our thoughts are with them at this very, very difficult time.
“Tragically members, I have to report a recent death on the roads. Mr Connor McNeill, from Glenarm, died on the Carnlough Road, in Broughshane. Connor had just returned from a historic trip to New York with Shane O’Neill’s hurling club, the first visiting club from Ireland to play at the famous Gaelic Park in the Bronx, which they actually won. He had just returned when the tragedy occurred.
“I would extend our condolences to Mr McNeill’s wife Emma and family and friends at this difficult time and we also wish his two young children, Lucy and Ollie who were passengers in the car, a speedy recovery. I attended the funeral which was huge and a terrific tribute to Connor.”