Rice pays personal tribute to Patrick Mitchell

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 5th Dec 2006

Alliance Party President Geraldine Rice has paid tribute to former party colleague on Castlereagh Council, Patrick Mitchell, who passed away on Saturday.

Cllr Rice stated: "Patrick's sudden passing has deprived us of a colleague and, most of all, a friend.

"Patrick was a remarkable and brilliant Councillor back in the bad old days of Castlereagh Council, always saying what he thought even if, on one occasion, it resulted in the police being required to escort us from the chamber.

"However, in the end Patrick won the respect of everyone on the Council, political friends and opponents alike.

"More than that, he was a very supportive friend to me during my time of illness. Only last Thursday he was telling me to get better soon, and assuring me he would return to visit this week.

"I and many others will be left with a very glad memory of a brilliant Councillor and a true friend and gentleman."

ENDS