Belfast’s new lord mayor has said he wants to make the city a place “where everyone feels welcomed and included”.
Mickey Murray, an Alliance councillor representing the Balmoral area, donned the chain of office on Monday, taking over the role from Sinn Féin’s Ryan Murphy.
Mr Murray was co-opted to the council in 2022 to replace Alliance colleague and previous lord mayor Kate Nicholl, who was elected in that year’s Assembly elections as a South Belfast MLA.
The 32-year-old is now the eighth Alliance councillor to become Belfast’s First Citizen.
“As the city’s first openly gay lord mayor, I want Belfast to be a place where everyone feels welcomed and included,” he said.
“A more inclusive, diverse and kinder city makes it better for everyone. I’m looking forward to meeting with groups and organisations city-wide who are working to achieve these goals and to using my time as lord mayor to highlight their work and showcase all that is good within our city.”
Mr Murray, who has a background in the voluntary and community sector, said supporting those impacted by long-term homelessness would also be a priority for his term.
”I’m passionate about helping those with addiction and other challenges to break the cycle and get the help they need to get back on their feet.” he said.
Meanwhile, DUP Ormiston councillor Andrew McCormick has become the new deputy lord mayor, replacing the Green Party’s Áine Groogan.
