Northern Ireland

Kyle Black, son of murdered prison officer David Black, elected for DUP in Mid Ulster

Kyle Black. Picture by Hugh Russell
Kyle Black. Picture by Hugh Russell Kyle Black. Picture by Hugh Russell

Kyle Black, the son of murdered prison officer David Black, has been elected for the DUP in Mid Ulster District Council.

David Black was shot dead in 2012 as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison. He was targeted by a passing car on the M1. A dissident republican organisation calling itself the IRA said it carried out the murder.

Kyle Black ws the first candidate returned in his District Electoral Area (DEA) of Carntogher.

Full results from Mid Ulster here

Read more:DUP's Alison Bennington is elected to Antrim and Newtownabbey council

Mr Black celebrated with family and said he was "over the moon and ecstatic" to be elected, adding that his thoughts were also with his father.

"It's something I think of every single day," he said.

"It's been a big part of my drive as to do what I'm doing now. The reason why I got involved in politics is that I want to play my part in moving Northern Ireland towards being a truly peaceful society that thrives economically, culturally and socially and offers opportunities."

He said that by getting involved in politics he could give back to his community.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, he said: "(My dad) was a huge influence on my life and he moulded me into the man I am today.

"He was a man of principle, a man of great moral integrity and if I can live up to half the man he was I will be doing well.

"He was a fantastic man and anybody that did know him would be able to testify that.

"If I had of reacted differently (to his murder) that would have been understandable.

"However, my family had no control over what happened to us but we have control over what I do and what we do and out of absolutely devastating consequences, that will impact our lives forever, I felt that out of that I would try and do something positive and put something back into the community.

"I felt it was something good to be able to do for the people in the local area.

"I can't change what happened but I will create my own identity in who am I.

"I want to make Northern Ireland a better place for everyone to live in."

He also welcomed the election of the DUP's first openly gay candidate.

Alison Bennington will serve on the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

"I believe that individuals should be elected on the basis of their merit and their personal capabilities," Kyle added.