TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Sinn Féin councillor who died yesterday.

Tish Holland - whose married name was Teresa Lunney - passed away after an illness.

From west Belfast, she was a sister of murdered shop keeper Harry Holland who was stabbed outside his west Belfast house in September 2007.

Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said the former councillor was elected to Belfast City Council in 1985 for the Upper Falls area and was a member of the Sinn Féin outreach group.

"Today the republican family and the wider community in west Belfast have lost a friend, a comrade and a life-long republican activist," he said

“Teresa Lunney was the second woman interned in Armagh Gaol in early 1973 and played a key role in the H-Block/Armagh campaign, including working to elect Bobby Sands as MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone during the 1981 Hunger Strike."

Mr Maskey said the former councillor was involved in community work.

“Teresa was committed to serving her local community and was a key driver of the Tullymore Community Centre in providing essential childcare, job opportunities, support for senior citizens, women and training and skills for young people.

“On behalf of Sinn Féin I our extend condolences to the Lunney and Holland families at this sad and difficult time.”