Council Pays Tribute To The Late Peter Craig

LAST Monday night (23^rd January), the full meeting of Down District Council was postponed as a mark of respect to the late SDLP Councillor Peter Craig (65) who passed away on New Year’s Eve.

Cllr Craig had been elected to the Council in 1997. Paying his respects to his party colleague, Down District Council Chairman Councillor Dermot Curran said, “Peter’s work as a Councillor was of a high calibre. He was held in high regard both inside and outside the Chamber. He was very involved in ARC 21 and other public bodies and he was keen to see young people across the district being looked after.

“Indeed Peter was a very active SDLP member. I personally will miss him very much.” Cllr Curran extended condolences to Peter’s wife Angela and family at this time as did all of those whose paid tribute in the chamber.

The late Councillor Peter Craig received glowing tributes from his Council colleagues.   

Cllr Curran invited the party leaders to pay their tributes to Cllr Craig and all parties spoke highly of him in turn.

SDLP Cllr Eamonn O’Neill added to the glowing tributes to the former councillor.  He said, “It is now almost the month’s mind of the death of our dear colleague and friend Councillor Peter Craig and it is still hard to believe that he is gone. He was such a big part of everything that it is frightening that he is no longer there.

“Peter was a tremendously hard worker for our community and in particular for its youth. Generations of young people had their quality of life improved by the committed and dedicated work of Peter.

“Both in the GAA and local government circles he was very well know 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. For us in the SDLP there is a special loss.

“Peter was always at the centre of things as usual giving freely of his time, energy and wisdom. His 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 and not spilling blood. He was SDLP to the core.

“His loss will be severe on all who knew and worked with him. Our deepest sympathy and our thoughts and prayers go to his wife Angela, son Chris and the whole family circle.

Sinn Féin Cllr Mickey Coogan: “Peter was a hard worker and a dedicated community representative. I took great pleasure on working with him on ARC 21 and often shared his unique sense of humour as we travelled up to Belfast to attend meetings.

“I enjoyed his personal debates and he never held back from expressing his personal view.”

DUP Cllr William Dick: ”We have all shared the sense of loss at the passing of  Peter. He may have in a sense been apolitical opponent but he was a genuine colleague and a true friend. There was no back doors with Peter. He always made his points well known. If he did not agree he certainly let you know about it.

“Peter was very active on the Environment Committee and acted as vice chairman. He was passionate about his work on the environment and in all of the debates with Peter there was never ever personal. We were always friends.”

Independent Councillor Terry Andrews: “Peter had been an excellent chairman in previous years and he was a first class ambassador for his own community of Saul. He believed in serving, and not self-enjoyment. He worked hard as a Councillor and left his opinions in the Chamber.”

Independent Councillor Cadogan Enright: “One of the best tributes to Peter Craig was the rock solid support he received from his constituency in Saul which was so apparent at his funeral.”

UUP Councillor Robert Burgess: “When you did battle in the chamber with Peter,  he always stood his ground. Saul was his number one  interest. He was an honourable gentleman.”

Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke: “There has been great sadness at the loss of such a respected member of this chamber. He was held in very high esteem. I found his very affable and genuine, and when I was elected to Council he shook my hand and offered me any help I needed even though I was from a different party.”

Also paying tribute, Council Chief Executive John Dumigan said, “On behalf of the Directors and staff I would like to pay our respects to Peter and pass on out condolences to his wife Angela and his family.

“Peter was a councillor of integrity, respect and excellence. He was an upright pillar of society and with Peter you got what you got. He was very respectful to staff, and always had a word of praise for them. He was an excellent councillor and always made an effort to strive for quality services.

“He believed very much in improving sustainability and in the protection of the environment and his passing will be a great loss for the Environment Committee. Peter will be sadly missed.”

Also paying a personal tribute, Cllr Patsy Toman talked of Peter’s contribution to the Eddie McGrady South Down Westminster election victory in 1987 and he said Peter could always hit you hard in any argument. I will miss him very badly.”