Northern Ireland

Tributes paid to Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor who has died

Tributes have been paid to Price McConaghy, Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor, who has passed away. When he retired in 2011, Mr McConaghy had served for 54 years on council. Picture by Kevin McAuley
Tributes have been paid to Price McConaghy, Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor, who has passed away. When he retired in 2011, Mr McConaghy had served for 54 years on council. Picture by Kevin McAuley Tributes have been paid to Price McConaghy, Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor, who has passed away. When he retired in 2011, Mr McConaghy had served for 54 years on council. Picture by Kevin McAuley

NORTHERN Ireland's longest serving councillor has been described as a political representative who "served everyone with distinction" following his death this week.

Price McConaghy, who was a former independent councillor for Moyle, died at the Causeway Hospital on Tuesday night.

When Mr McConaghy, who was from Lisnagunogue, retired in 2011, he had served as a councillor for 54 years.

Having held the role of Chairman of Moyle District Council six times, he was awarded a MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List in 2003 for services to local government.

Mr McConaghy had also served on the Board of The Bushmills Trust for more than 20 years.

Padraig McShane. an independent councillor on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, said it was a sad day.

"It is not cliche to say, but Price really did serve everyone with distinction," he said.

"He was ahead of his time. His work to unite the community predated the Good Friday Agreement.

"He plied his trade in and around the streets of Bushmills, all along the Causeway, Liscolman, Mosside and of course his beloved Lisnagunogue. He will be missed by many within the communities he served".

Mr McShane added: "I know all his former colleagues in Moyle from across the political spectrum will be saddened at the news of his passing today.

"To his family and large circle of friends I take this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathies. Today we collectively mourn the passing of a gentleman".

Tributes have been paid to Price McConaghy, Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor, who has passed away. When he retired in 2011, Mr McConaghy had served for 54 years on council. Picture by Kevin McAuley
Tributes have been paid to Price McConaghy, Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor, who has passed away. When he retired in 2011, Mr McConaghy had served for 54 years on council. Picture by Kevin McAuley Tributes have been paid to Price McConaghy, Northern Ireland's longest serving councillor, who has passed away. When he retired in 2011, Mr McConaghy had served for 54 years on council. Picture by Kevin McAuley