Alderman McIntyre, who was first elected to represent Downshire East in 2014, paid tribute to outgoing Mayor Alderman Amanda Grehan and Deputy Mayor Councillor Hazel Legge for their service over the past year.

Ald McIntyre has said: “Amanda has been an outstanding Mayor and a fantastic ambassador for Lisburn & Castlereagh throughout her term. Alongside Hazel, she has represented our council area with great dedication and professionalism, and I would like to thank them both for their service.

“Having been born and raised in Lisburn, spending my early childhood in Warren Park before moving to Hillhall, it is a real privilege to have the opportunity to represent the area I am proud to call home as Deputy Lord Mayor.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many people from every part of Lisburn and Castlereagh through the roles I’m proud to have held on council. Their experiences demonstrate the strength of our communities and the pride people have in where they live, and I’m looking forward to working even closer with them in the year ahead.

“We have an exciting year ahead, with a range of fantastic events planned across the city, including fringe events for the Fleadh. All of which showcasing the very best of our local communities, giving us the chance to celebrate our heritage, bring in visitors, and support our local economy.

“It’s a great honour to be given the opportunity to serve as Deputy Mayor, and I’m excited to see what the year ahead will bring.”