Tributes have been paid to former long-serving SDLP councillor Gerry McLaughlin following his death on Tuesday.
Mr McLaughlin had previously served as an elected councillor in Coleraine, Co Derry, representing the Coleraine Central ward.
He was elected in 1997 to what was then Coleraine Borough Council, before standing down in 2013.
Mr McLaughlin was replaced in his seat by daughter Stephanie Quigley, who in 2020 resigned from the SDLP over the party’s stance on abortion.
A death notice for Mr McLaughlin described him as the “dearly loved husband of Bernadette, much loved father of Donna, Cathy, Gerry, Colette, Dominic, Gemma, Stephanie, Gary, Richard, Amy and the late Louise, a dear father-in-law, devoted grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather and a beloved brother”.
SDLP chairperson and MLA Daniel McCrossan said his party was “deeply saddened” by the loss of their former colleague.
“Throughout his long service he won respect and admiration from right across the political divide and was known for his even temper and providing wise council to SDLP colleagues and fellow councillors alike,” he said.
Mr McCrossan offered “sincere condolences” to Mr McLaughlin’s family on behalf of the SDLP, adding: “He left a significant mark on his local community and our party and he will be missed by all who knew him.”
