Northern Ireland

Funeral takes place of former SDLP councillor Brian Quinn

Brian Quinn died suddenly on March 15
Brian Quinn died suddenly on March 15 Brian Quinn died suddenly on March 15

THE funeral has taken place of former SDLP councillor Brian Quinn, who died suddenly on Wednesday.

A member of Newry, Mourne and Down district council from 2014 to 2019, Mr Quinn (64) passed away on March 15.

From Ballymartin in Co Down, he has been remembered as "a well respected representative and Mourne man to the core".

A former councillor for The Mournes ward, he also served as deputy mayor in 2014 and was a former chairperson of the Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

He also served as director of Newry and Mourne Community Transport.

On Saturday, family and friends gathered to say their final farewells as his funeral took place in St Joseph's Church, Ballymartin followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

SDLP councillor Michael Savage paid tribute to Mr Quinn describing him as a "gentleman".

"So deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague and former councillor Brian Quinn," he wrote on social media.

"A gentleman who loved his family, community and of course his bike.

"A solid human being who was a well respected representative and Mourne man to the core. My deepest sympathy to Brian's family and friends at this very sad time."

Mr Quinn's former party colleague Terry Andrews described him as a "real gentleman and a good friend" and Dermot Curran also said he was a "gentleman".

DUP councillor Henry Reilly also said he was "shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden passing away of my friend and colleague Brian Quinn".

"Brian was a decent man of integrity who loved Mourne and all its people," he wrote.

"Brian was from a different tradition to me but he did not care if you were Protestant, Catholic or other - if you had a problem and he could help he would do it with a heart and a half - Mourne will be a lesser place without him."