SDLP Select Rogers To Replace Ritchie At Assembly

NEWRY and Mourne Councillor Sean Rogers has been selected by SDLP party members to replace South Down MP Margaret Ritchie in the Assembly during a selection convention held in the Burrendale Hotel in Newcastle.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie with newly elected MLA Sean Rogers and Karen McKevitt MLA at the SDLP convention in the Burrendale Hotel in Newcastle

Sean Rogers is a father of five children. He is a former principal of St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel and is a long-serving community worker in his local parish and GAA club.

Speaking following his successful selection in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, incoming SDLP South Down MLA Sean Rogers said: "I am honoured to have been selected to represent the people of South Down in the Assembly and would like to pay tribute to our MP Margaret Ritchie who will continue to do an excellent job in standing up for our people, here and in Westminster.

"I'm a bridge builder... I bring people with me and as an MLA for South Down I intend, with my Assembly colleague Karen McKevitt and SDLP councillors, to pursue the interests of people in every corner of our constituency.

"I will do everything in my power to help build a vibrant rural economy, to help tackle the problems facing farmers and fishermen in our communities, and to create jobs for people here.

"I would like to thank people for their support and I look forward to taking my skills gained through years of experience of working in and for the community to Stormont."

Incoming SDLP South Down MLA Sean Rogers pictured with his wife Rosemary and children (L-R) Emer, Sinead, Feargal, Nicola and Orla following his selection to replace Margaret Ritchie in the Assembly on Sunday evening