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Thursday, 19 November 2009

Former RUC man joins SF assembly team

Sinn Fein has selected councillor Billy Leonard to succeed Francie Brolly as an east Derry assembly member

A former Northern Ireland police officer, who was once also a member of the Orange Order, has been selected to join Sinn Fein's team in the region's Assembly.

At a selection convention, republicans in Co Derry chose Coleraine councillor Billy Leonard to succeed veteran Sinn Fein politician Francie Brolly who had announced his retirement.

Mr Leonard's past links to the security forces, where he once served as a Royal Ulster Constabulary reservist, made him a surprise addition to Sinn Fein ranks when he first emerged on the political scene.

The 54-year-old is also a former member of the Orange Order and joined Sinn Fein in 2004 after he left the nationalist SDLP.

Over recent years, however, he has become a high profile Sinn Fein representative in the Coleraine area.

After he was selected to fill the vacant Assembly seat on Thursday night, Mr Leonard said it was an honour to have been chosen.

"The North West region is one of the most deprived areas on this island and it is important that we have strong leadership to ensure East Derry is given its fair share," he said.

"Sinn Fein is about giving strong leadership and I will be joining a team in Stormont who will stand strong for people's rights and for equality.

"We will be working to bring about prosperity to all the regions of this island by building an Ireland of equals."

He added: "I know that the workload of an MLA is daunting but I am prepared and with the help and support of a strong Sinn Fein constituency team I am sure we can deliver."

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8 Comments

At 12:15 on 24 November 2009, lorna wrote:

Nik. Two things you should remember, first many brave Catholics joined the RUC and had a good service. Second they WERE accountable to the Government and would not have been allowed to stay in the force if that were so. The reason the RUC was not accepted by the minority (this was not all the nationalists) was because of the crown in their badge. because the majority were Protestant did not mean they hated Catholics.

At 14:35 on 23 November 2009, lorna wrote:

Nik. The RUC fought terrorists many were murdered but they fought terrorists on both sides and were made accountable to our policitians in every thing they did. Tried to please but was always at fault, many fought dutifully on. When you think of the divide, the policitians were looking for to please the voters.When you saw an RUC furneral the fellows who carried the coffin you knew despite loosing a friend ,workmate they did their duty. The Nationalists were more affraid of the IRA to give information for they knew some night they could be abducted and never be seen again. It is being very short sighted if you think the RUC could do any better. Remember Catholics joined the brave one who risked their lives.

At 06:17 on 21 November 2009, marco wrote:

unbelievable! how can this man be a sinn fein mla when he was once an RUC man and a member of the orange order? has he forgotten what the IRA did to the RUC and the orange order!? disgusting...

At 00:44 on 21 November 2009, Mo Chara wrote:

This guys been in Sinn Fein for years now!!!Stop getting on as if this is new story

At 22:25 on 20 November 2009, heather wrote:

totally agree with lorna ,, how can this man do this ?? all well and good saying time to move on !!! in this case speak to the families of your fallen collegues mr leonard !!!! also the oath you took in joining the orange order !!! a phrase comes to mind here ,, 30 PIECES OF SILVER !!!!!!! enjoy your new job !! but remember your fallen collegues and the families they have left behind ,, SHAME ON YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!

At 19:43 on 20 November 2009, Nik wrote:

Perhaps, Lorna, it was his clear memory of what he saw RUC officers doing to the Nationalist/Republican community that prompted his change.

At 14:46 on 20 November 2009, Mike wrote:

Never thought it would happen in my life time. Look forward to a Catholic seeking with the DUP