Northern Ireland

Former Sinn Féin mayor Pat McGinn to be recognised for addiction awareness

Former Sinn Féin mayor Pat McGinn is to be recognised for his contribution to addiction awareness
Former Sinn Féin mayor Pat McGinn is to be recognised for his contribution to addiction awareness Former Sinn Féin mayor Pat McGinn is to be recognised for his contribution to addiction awareness

A former Sinn Féin mayor is to be recognised for his contribution to addiction awareness in his community.

Pat McGinn, who served as mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council in 2005, has spent more than three decades helping people suffering from addictions.

He will be honoured by Newry, Mourne and Down council in its annual civic awards ceremony tonight.

The event, which will be held virtually, is to be jointly presented by chairperson Charlie Casey and mentalist David Meade.

Mr McGinn is to receive an award in 'recognition of outstanding commitment and support to families and individuals suffering from addiction'.

The former politician has a long association with Cuan Mhuire, Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of addiction treatment services and residential rehabilitation, which saw him spearhead a successful campaign against the closure of the Newry centre.

A former resident of Cuan Mhuire, he has used his experience to offer support and advice to others, which more recently has seen him attend schools, community groups, sporting, voluntary and youth clubs to speak about addiction.

He is also heavily involved with the ‘Friends of Cuan Mhuire’ support group.

For many years through running marathons, cycling and climbing mountains, Mr McGinn has raised funds for charities such as Cuan Mhuire, the Southern Area Hospice and Cardiac Risk In the Young.

He was due to run this years London Marathon for the hospice before it was postponed due to the Covis-19 pandemic.

Mr Casey said he was "immensely proud of the remarkable people living in our district".

"These awards give us the opportunity to pay homage to the award nominees by recognising the difference that they have made and formally thank them for their hard work and commitment in their chosen field," he said.

"I know that those in the community and voluntary sector continually go above and beyond, and never has this been more evident than in the recent months."

The ceremony can be viewed on the council's YouTube and Facebook channels at 7.30pm.