Cllr Barney Fitzpatrick: “It is an honour to have been chosen to retain my seat on Coleraine Council. I have been very proud to have represented my constituents on the Council over the past four years and I will continue to deliver for them if re-elected.
“Alliance is the only party that makes their priority the ending of sectarianism. This will help our society as well as the economy. Only be committing completely to working towards a Shared Future will be endeavour to easing some of our society’s ills.”
Graham Scobie said: “I am looking forward to my first electoral campaign to get a seat on the Council. I maybe young but the public is crying out for new ideas and I would hope to bring a new voice to the table.
“There are many issues that this election will be fought over and not least our finances. I will work to ensure that ratepayers get value for money from the Council’s services. We could never afford to waste any money but with reduced budgets we must ensure that vital services are not cut.”
Yvonne Boyle said: “I have campaigned for Alliance for many years and yet again Alliance is the only party offering true solutions to the issues that are currently affected the public. We have called for the wastage of the cost of division to be tackled. We have called for a Green New Deal to be implemented to kick start our road to recovery following the downturn that will also help our construction sector. This strategy will boost our economy while helping to protect the environment and reduce our emissions.”
ENDS
Biographies of candidates
Graham Scobie
Currently in his final year studying Politics, International Relations and Philosophy at Queens University Belfast. He was elected to the governing body of Queens Student Union and is a committee member of the University’s Model United Nations. He went to Coleraine Inst and the Irish Society Primary school.
He has done voluntary work for the Samaritans, National Trust and Victims Support Northern Ireland. He spent a summer as an assistant teacher in Daystar Secondary School Uganda.
He plays with Coleraine Rugby club and rows for Queen’s University boat club.
Yvonne Boyle
Yvonne is a past Alliance Party Chair and East Londonderry Westminster Candidate. She has lived in the area for 25 years. She works as a Senior Social Work Practitioner in Mental Health.
She has MA in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge. She did her Social Work Post Graduate Course at the University of Ulster. As a seasonal tutor, she has taught anti-sectarian practice there to social work students.
She helped commission primary health and social care services as a member of the WHSSB Local Health and Social Care Group 2002-2008.
She has had wide involvement in political dialogue and reconciliation groups and has been a member of the Coleraine Corrymeela Group since 1985.
She has been an active member of the NI North East Peace III Partnership 2009-2010, chairing a Anti-Hate Crime Seminar in Coleraine in June 2010.
Barney Fitzpatrick
Barney was elected to Coleraine Borough Council in 2006 after topping the poll on the first count in a by-election in the Skerries ward. He also serves as a Harbour Commissioner for Coleraine and is Chairman / Party Representative on a number of other Council Committees
Married to Teresa for 47 years, they have four children two boys and two girls.
A graduate from the University of Ulster with a Masters Degree in Legal and Administrative studies incorporating European Law, He also has a postgraduate diploma in Business studies and management.
A retired Chief Superintendent of Police he has over thirty-five years operational experience in a variety of roles. He has tirelessly worked for the Community and has been responsible for many cross community initiatives throughout the province.
He was awarded the Queens Police Medal for professional Police services to the public. He is the holder of a Royal Humane Award for Bravery and has 11 Commendations for exceptional Police work.