Wilson leads tributes to Susan O'Brien MBE

10.52.47pm GMT Sun 1st Jan 2006

Former Mayor and North Down Councillor Anne Wilson has led the tributes to Susan O'Brien, who was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List having stepped down after 24 years on Council in May last year. Mrs O'Brien had also served as Mayor of the Borough, and continues her activities within the community and on behalf of local charities.

Cllr Wilson stated: "This award is richly deserved as Susan served the people of Holywood for 24 years with great distinction. Even well before her election she had a long record of working for the community in Holywood.

"She was a fund raiser for a number of charities, involved in the Peace People, and became a founder member of the Alliance party. She was a loyal and hard working party member committed to working for peace and reconciliation within the community and opposing extremism in all its forms.

"Susan was an extremely active Councillor particularly involved in community work and housing. She was well known for her sterling constituency work and badgering agencies on behalf of her constituents. In 1995 she became the first Catholic to be elected as Mayor of North Down a role she performed with dignity and with considerable distinction. She was well respected by the staff in the Town Hall.

"Having worked with Susan for the past quarter century, I was always amazed at her ability to combine her role as a successful local politician, with her family responsibilities including caring for her special needs son, and her work as nurse in the Ulster Hospital. She is also active in many local organisations and has made an important contribution to the community in Holywood.

"I congratulate Susan on her well deserved award and I have no doubt that this will be endorsed by the people of Holywood and her many friends in the Alliance party."

Holywood Councillors David Alderdice and Ian James Parsley also joined the tributes.

Dr Alderdice stated: "There are very few people who have made a positive difference to any community in the way Susan has done for Holywood. Hers is an astonishing record of diligence, commitment and pure hard work that has improved people's lives right across the town and the borough, not least in the more deprived areas."

Mr Parsley added: "The party's result in Holywood this year, our highest vote share anywhere in Northern Ireland for twelve years, was a reflection of Susan O'Brien's dedication to her constituents. She was a reason to be proud of the Alliance Party's heritage and principles, but I also know that this well-earned reward will be welcomed by all the Councillors on the current Council, and all who had the privilege of working with her."

ENDS