COMMUNITY worker Paul McCusker has been chosen by the SDLP to take over party colleague Nichola Mallon's seat on Belfast City Council.
Mr McCusker, who is also part of the Mater Hospital's nursing staff, was co-opted to fill Ms Mallon's Oldpark seat after she was elected as an MLA for North Belfast at the assembly elections.
He has campaigned on behalf of the homeless for many years and slept rough for two nights in November 2014 to raise awareness of the issue.
Matt Collins from People Before Profit was co-opted to fill new MLA Gerry Carroll's Black Mountain seat on Belfast City Council.
He said last night his first act as a councillor will be to join a picket line of striking leisure centre staff in the city today.
Several other high-profile councillors, including the DUP's Carla Lockhart, a Lurgan councillor, and the UUP's Jenny Palmer, a Lisburn councillor, were elected as assembly members.
Their council seats are also set to be filled through co-option.
