By Ryan Sands
Gareth Sharvin has described serving as a Downpatrick councillor for 14 years as “an honour.” In a statement posted online on Monday evening, the now former SDLP representative confirmed that, earlier that day, he had officially resigned from the role he had held since 2011.
Mr Sharvin, who was the local authority’s deputy chairperson in 2023/24, said that it had been “a decision that was extremely difficult to make, as I thoroughly enjoyed working with and representing the amazing people across the area.”
“As I transition out of local government, I transition into my new role in local housing and look forward to what life has to offer me,” he added. “It truly has been an honour working for and serving you and your family across my time on Down District Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
“I want to thank you for entrusting me with your support and be reassured I will still be helping out in the community, be that with a camera in hand, volunteering at the parkrun or championing all things sports. I wish my successor the very best of luck, and I am sure they will show the commitment and passion I have done for 14 years.”
Mournes SDLP councillor Laura Devlin posted that Mr Sharvin had been “a superb colleague and an even better friend.”
“You will be hugely missed in council,” she wrote. “Your calm demeanour, sound judgement and common-sense way of approaching issues will be missed by all in our chamber, but, for me, it will be your quick wit in the seat beside me. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter.”
There are more comments from other councillors in the full article.
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