Debate contribution: Seán Neeson

Debate contribution by Mr John Stewart on 16 June 2025.

MLA

Mr John Stewart

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

16 June 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Assembly Business

Heading

Seán Neeson

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5010076

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for facilitating this tribute to Seán Neeson. It was with great sadness that I learned of his passing over the weekend. On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I extend our condolences to his beloved wife, Carol, his children Claire, Peter, Ciara and John, his grandchildren, his entire family circle and everyone across the political spectrum, particularly his colleagues in the Alliance Party, with which he served with great distinction. Seán was a man who devoted so much of his life to public and community service. He was a passionate advocate for Carrickfergus, as we have heard, and for the East Antrim constituency. Over many decades, Seán was a well-respected and influential voice not only in local government but in the Assembly and beyond and in his role as leader. Seán's career reflected his deep commitment to the people whom he represented. As a former teacher by profession, he carried that sense of fairness and dedication into his political life. His many record-breaking years as a Carrickfergus councillor, and later as an MLA for East Antrim, were marked by integrity, thoughtfulness and a quiet but resolute determination to make a difference. One has only to look at the tributes being paid on social media by the many hundreds of people who have commented to date to see the level of respect in which he was held in the local area. He was renowned for getting things done, and in a quiet way, for everybody. On a personal note, I had the privilege of serving with Seán on the former Carrickfergus Borough Council between 2011 and 2013. I had been elected for the first time, and, even though we were from different parties, Seán took me under his wing. In that respect, I felt as though he was taking on the role of my mentor. His work ethic was incredible. Nothing was ever too much for him. I often said to him that I thought that he needed a nine-day week just to get done the amount of work that he was doing. Nevertheless, he did it as a gentleman, working for everybody, often in very difficult times and under huge strain to him personally and to his family. Many of us will know about that, but he always did his work with a smile, and he would work for anybody. Again, I pay tribute to him and say that all our thoughts are with his entire family at this very difficult time.

416 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:48 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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