Northern Ireland

Former SDLP councillor Michael Carr dies 'peacefully' at Warrenpoint home

Former SDLP councillor Michael Carr represented Crotlieve first on Newry and Mourne District Council and later Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for 18 years
Former SDLP councillor Michael Carr represented Crotlieve first on Newry and Mourne District Council and later Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for 18 years Former SDLP councillor Michael Carr represented Crotlieve first on Newry and Mourne District Council and later Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for 18 years

THE family of former SDLP councillor Michael Carr has asked for donations to palliative care charity Life and Time after he died "peacefully" at his Warrenpoint home yesterday.

Mr Carr represented Crotlieve first on Newry and Mourne District Council and later Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for 18 years.

SDLP assembly member Sinead Bradley described him as "a much loved and highly respected member of the Warrenpoint community", adding he "was, first and foremost, a family man and anyone who shared his company will be aware of the central role his wife Kay and their children played in his life".

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said "as an SDLP councillor Michael gave almost two decades service to the people of Crotlieve".

Former South Down MP Margaret Ritchie described him as "hard working, thoughtful, reflective and enthusiastic" and said she had "valued his friendship and support".

Former assembly member and deputy mayor Karen McKevitt posted a picture with him on social media writing: "Some days I have no words. How precious a photo can become."

Councillor Laura Devlin said she is "totally devastated" at the loss of "a true gentleman, so intelligent, so thorough but above all kind".

He is survived by his wife Kay and children Shane, Fiona, Ruairí and Christy.

Requiem Mass will be at St Peter's Church, Warrenpoint at noon tomorrow, with interment in its cemetery afterwards.