Northern Ireland

DUP councillor Tommy Jeffers becomes dad at age 73

DUP councillor Tommy Jeffers has become a father again at the age of 73. Picture from Facebook
DUP councillor Tommy Jeffers has become a father again at the age of 73. Picture from Facebook DUP councillor Tommy Jeffers has become a father again at the age of 73. Picture from Facebook

A DUP councillor has become a father again at the age of 73.

Tommy Jeffers, a councillor on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, said he "couldn't be happier" after wife Catherine (45) gave birth to baby David last week.

Mr Jeffers, who is a grandfather, has two grown-up children from his first marriage to Jean, who died seven years ago.

New arrival David weighed in at six pounds and two ounces at the Ulster Hospital in east Belfast, where Mr Jeffers praised the "fantastic" staff.

"My children and the rest of the family have been great - they are all delighted. They just couldn't wait to meet him," he said.

"I suppose many younger dads are straight out to work, like I was before, but I'm only part-time now working for the council, so I actually have a bit more time to spend with him and Catherine that I maybe wouldn't have had before."

He added: "I'm just so pleased and relieved that both Catherine and the baby are healthy, that's the main thing."

The DUP councillor said that his party's success in the Assembly elections had topped off a "great week" personally.