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15/11/2012
Gay Rights Campaigner PA Maglochlainn Dies
The first openly gay representative to sit on a Northern Irish party’s executive has died.
PA Maglochlainn was a well known gay rights campaigner from L’Derry and was president of the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association (NIGRA) for 20 years.
Mr Maglochlainn had been receiving hospital treatment for a long-term illness.
Conal McDevitt said he was "trailblazer for equality".
He was a former teacher and became involved with NIGRA over two decades ago. In 2011, he was presented with an award for his contribution to the Belfast Pride movement by NIGRA founder and treasurer, Jeff Dudgeon.
Mr Dudgeon described him as a "tireless campaigner" who was "outspoken, eccentric" and had a "huge personality".
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said: "The loss of such a fondly held party stalwart will be heavily felt across the SDLP.
"PA was a committed SDLP volunteer in Mid Ulster before coming to South Belfast where, up until a few weeks ago, he volunteered every Thursday as a constituency advisor in my Finaghy office.
"I wish to extend my deep sympathy to PA's partner Barry and to the wider MagLochlainn family. PA was a courageous and passionate person who stood up for what he believed in. He will be sorely missed."
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan added: "P.A. had a warm good nature, deep empathy and an extensive interest in public affairs and world events.
"He was a democrat, an internationalist, a Christian citizen and a proudly gay, proudly Irish man who wanted to make a difference – for difference – and he did."
(IT)
PA Maglochlainn was a well known gay rights campaigner from L’Derry and was president of the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association (NIGRA) for 20 years.
Mr Maglochlainn had been receiving hospital treatment for a long-term illness.
Conal McDevitt said he was "trailblazer for equality".
He was a former teacher and became involved with NIGRA over two decades ago. In 2011, he was presented with an award for his contribution to the Belfast Pride movement by NIGRA founder and treasurer, Jeff Dudgeon.
Mr Dudgeon described him as a "tireless campaigner" who was "outspoken, eccentric" and had a "huge personality".
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said: "The loss of such a fondly held party stalwart will be heavily felt across the SDLP.
"PA was a committed SDLP volunteer in Mid Ulster before coming to South Belfast where, up until a few weeks ago, he volunteered every Thursday as a constituency advisor in my Finaghy office.
"I wish to extend my deep sympathy to PA's partner Barry and to the wider MagLochlainn family. PA was a courageous and passionate person who stood up for what he believed in. He will be sorely missed."
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan added: "P.A. had a warm good nature, deep empathy and an extensive interest in public affairs and world events.
"He was a democrat, an internationalist, a Christian citizen and a proudly gay, proudly Irish man who wanted to make a difference – for difference – and he did."
(IT)
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