Tributes have been paid to former Derry Sinn Féin councillor Tony Hassan who has died just two months after publishing his memoirs.
Mr Hassan (78) was one of the longest serving councillors, first on Derry City Council and later on Derry City and Strabane District Council. First elected in 1997, the father-of-two, retired from politics in 2018.
He died following a long period of illness.
In December, Mr Hassan’s memoir of Derry’s population growth following the breakdown the long-running unionist gerrymander of the city was published by Colmcille Press.
“From Old Streets to New Homes: a memoir of Derry, Bridge Street and Shantallow” chronicled his life as a young man growing up in the inner city and later moving to the Shantallow area.
Garbhan Downey of Colmcille Press said everyone at the publishing house was sorry to hear of the death of their “great friend”.
“As Mitchel McLaughlin (former Northern Ireland speaker) said, ‘Tony was one in a million’,” Mr Downey said.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood extended his sympathies to Mr Hassan’s family and Sinn Féin colleagues.
He said: “Tony had time for everyone and was committed to making greater Shantallow and our city better for all.”
Former Sinn Féin mayor of Derry Sandra Duffy said Mr Hassan’s life was focused on standing up for people’s rights and making his community the best place it could be.
Ms Duffy said: “Tony Hassan was a stalwart and a trailblazer who was key to the ongoing regeneration of the greater Shantallow area and across the city as the longest serving councillor.”
