The Alliance Party has selected Cllr Oran Keenan and Cllr Neil Kelly to stand in the forthcoming local government election in the Antrim Town area. Cllr Neil Kelly replaced David Ford on Antrim Council after David was elected Justice Minister and Cllr Oran Keenan joined Alliance early this year after having been an independent and, before that, an SDLP Councillor.
Cllr Neil Kelly said: “I am looking forward to my first campaign. I really enjoy representing people and helping them with issues or problems that they have. I also enjoy being on the council and having a positive input into policy and the delivery of services at Council level.
“Alliance is the only party that makes ending segregation and promoting good relations our top priority. Northern Ireland needs a united community free from the shackles of tribalism and division.
“I believe that interaction with the public and being able to communicate with people using new technology is vital to deliver the best service to constituents in the 21st century. I have a facebook site and I would encourage people to visit it.”
Cllr Oran Keenan said: “I am very pleased to have been selected by Alliance for Antrim Town. I believe being a councillor is all about public service and delivery on the ground for everyone. Alliance is a party that these values are absolutely core to.
“We have genuine vision for a shared future for all which delivers services more efficiently and creates more jobs by tackling the division that hurts our society in Northern Ireland.
“Alliance also makes sustainability a key priority and we want to deliver a Green New Deal to create jobs here while protecting our environment.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Biography of Oran Keenan
Cllr Oran Keenan has represented Antrim Town electoral area since 1985. Formerly a member of the SDLP, he has sat as an independent in recent years and joined Alliance in February of this year. He was Mayor of the Borough in 2008/09 and took a strong lead in fostering good relations in the wake of the Massereene Barracks murders.
Oran has worked as Chair of both the Environmental Services and Community Planning committees on the council and has also served as Deputy Mayor. Outside of politics, he has been a mental health nurse for over three decades.
Biography of Neil Kelly
Neil Kelly replaced David Ford on Antrim Council after David was elected Justice Minister. Neil was born in Antrim Town in 1964. He grew up on the Dublin Road housing estate where his parents still live today and he went to St Comgall’s PS in the town. He attended St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena, returning to Antrim to finish his education in 1980.
He has spent 28 years in health and social care, beginning as a Student Nurse in Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Antrim, just before his 18th birthday in 1982. After qualifying as a Learning Disability Nurse he remained in Muckamore Abbey until October 1995. He then worked as a Community Learning Disability Nurse in Downpatrick for three years before taking up a Team Leader post in South and East Belfast. In 2008 he became Operations Manager for Community Learning Disability teams across South and West Belfast for Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
He is married, lives in Antrim Town, and over the years has been involved in various sporting groups in the town including Masserene Golf Club, Antrim Hockey Club, Dublin Road Select Football club and Antrim Town GAA.
Neil Kelly’s facebook page can be found here:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Councillor-Neil-Kelly/100001197530498