Patrick McCarthy (politician)

Patrick McCarthy MBE is an Irish Social Democratic and Labour Party politician and member of Belfast City Council.

Patrick McCarthy
51st Lord Mayor of Belfast
In office 2006–2007
Preceded by	Wallace Browne
Succeeded by	Jim Rodgers
Councillor on Belfast City Council
In office 2001–2014
Constituency	Laganbank
Personal details
Born	Belfast
Political party	Social Democratic and Labour Party (former) Fianna Fáil[1]
Website	www.sdlp.ie

Born and raised in the Markets area of Belfast, McCarthy was interned without trial in 1971 on suspicion of being a member of the Official IRA before being released the following year without any charges ever being pressed and his innocence vindicated.[2]

First elected to the council in 2001 for Laganbank he was chosen as Lord Mayor of Belfast in 2006.[3] McCarthy, the city's fourth nationalist mayor, was endorsed by all parties except Sinn Féin.[4] He successfully represented the SDLP on Belfast City council until 2014.[2]

Following nominations from church and community groups across the sectarian divide McCarthy was awarded an MBE for Political and Community Cohesion in the 2016 New Year Honours.[5]

MacCarthy stood for election to the National Executive of Fianna Fáil and has been a longstanding advocate for Fianna Fáil in Northern Ireland.

References

1. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/northern-ireland-politicians-nominated-for-top-fianna-fail-roles-36129797.html
2. Former SDLP mayor and republican internee Pat McCarthy accepts MBE
3. CV
4. City elects new SDLP lord mayor
5. Former SDLP Belfast mayor and internee defends MBE award, irishnews.com; retrieved 24 November 2017.

Civic offices
Preceded by Wallace Browne	Lord Mayor of Belfast 2006 - 07	Succeeded by Jim Rodgers