Council meeting is put back as tribute

Council meeting is put back as tribute

25 January 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

DOWN councillors stood in silent tribute to former colleague Peter Craig on Monday night.

Tributes were also paid to the former Downpatrick councillor who died on New Year’s Eve. As a mark of respect, all business at the council’s monthly meeting was adjourned for one week.

Mr. Craig, who was 65, was elected to Down Council in 1997 and became its chairman six years later.

Tributes on Monday night were led by council chairman Dermot Curran, who said politicians from all parties met in sadness following Mr. Craig’s passing.

He said his former colleague was highly respected both inside and outside Down Council’s debating chamber and highlighted Mr. Craig’s hard work for the people he represented, the SDLP and Saul GAC, in particular, its young members.

“Peter Craig was a man who always put people first. He did a lot of marvellous work in the area and was an active member of the SDLP during many of the party’s election successes. I will miss Peter for his wisdom and support,” added Councillor Curran.

Councillor Eamonn O’Neill, leader of the council’s SDLP members, said Peter Craig was “such a big part of everything.”

“Peter was a tremendously hard worker for our community and its youth. Generations of young people had their quality of life improved by his committed and dedicated work,” he continued.

“Both in the GAA and local government circles Peter was very well known and his views were always highly regarded. In particular, I know of the respect he was shown on the many boards and bodies he served on so faithfully over the years.”

Councillor O’Neill added: “Peter’s strong Irish nationalist identity was always evident and expressed through everything he did. In that sense he was a true patriot, believing in the John Hume maxim of spilling sweat for his people, not blood.”

Councillor Mickey Coogan (Sinn Fein) described Mr. Craig as a “dedicated councillor and community representative” and said he was a politician never afraid to express his views. He also said he would miss the former Downpatrick councillor and the duo’s frequent trips to meetings of the Arc 21 waste management group.

Councillor William Dick (DUP) pointed to the “deep sense of loss” people feel following Mr. Craig’s death. He said the SDLP man was a “political opponent who came from a completely different political perspective.”

“Despite this, when Peter agreed with you he stood with you and gave his full-hearted support. We in our party had many debates with Peter but there was never anything personal and we left the chamber as friends.”

Councillor Robert Burgess (UUP) described Mr. Craig as an “honourable man” and “someone with whom you could do battle with, but leave the debating chamber still his friend.”

“Peter worked tremendously hard for his constituents, especially young people and Saul was always number one on his list,” he added.

Tributes were also paid by Councillors John Doris and Patsy Toman (both SDLP), Terry Andrews (Independent), Patrick Clarke (Alliance), Cadogan Enright (Green Party) and Down Council chief executive, Mr. John Dumigan.

Everyone who paid tribute on Monday night extended their condolences to Peter’s wife Angela, step son Chris, his wife Anne and their son Ryan, who was described as “Peter’s precious grandson.”