A DUP councillor who rejoined the party after Sir Jeffrey Donaldson became leader is stepping down from frontline politics.
Kathryn Owen is quitting Newry, Mourne and Down Council due to a "change in her full-time employment which will prevent her from being a councillor", the party said.
She is the second of the party's representatives in the council's Rowallane district electoral area to stand aside in the past 12 months.
Her former colleague William Walker stepped down from his council role earlier this year after being charged with attempted sexual communication with a child.
Ms Owen, whose grandfather William Biggerstaff was a former Ulster Unionist councillor on the now defunct Down District Council, was one of two DUP representatives who quit the party when Edwin Poots became leader.
The former RAF medic and Glyn Hanna, father of South Down MLA Diane Forsythe, left the DUP in June 2021 voicing concerns about the direction the party was taking under the former agriculture minister's leadership.
Both rejoined the DUP after Sir Jeffrey became leader.
The Lagan Valley MP yesterday thanked Ms Owen for "her service in Rowallane and her efforts to help constituents".
The departing councillor, who recently secured a PhD in cardiology, said: " It has been a privilege to serve the good people of Rowallane.
"Growing up in Rowallane and following in my grandfather's footsteps made this a huge honour."
Her replacement on the council has yet to be announced.
