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07 Sept 2025
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07 Sept 2025
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Michael Allen, principal of Lisneal College, who received an MBE for services to Education.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is to send letters of congratulations to local people included on the British New Year Honours List.
The proposal by Ald Niree McMorris (DUP) was seconded by Ald Darren Guy (UUP) at January’s full council meeting on Wednesday.
Ald McMorris said she wanted to congratulate the recipients of “His Majesty’s New Year Honours within the Londonderry and Strabane area”.
She added: “I have listed down the recipients. Mr Neil Guckian, chief executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, received an OBE for services to Health and Social Care and to the community in Northern Ireland. Many of us would know Neil and know the sterling work he has done.
“We also had Michael Allen, principal of Lisneal College, who received an MBE for services to Education. The achievements he has made within Lisneal College have been astronomical. The school is an absolute credit and it is all on the back of his achievements.
“Then we have Dr Manav Bhavsar, the clinical lead for critical care at Altnagelvin Hospital, who received an MBE for services to Healthcare, particularly during Covid-19.
“We also have four recipients of the BEM: Robert Buchanan, chair of the Londonderry branch of the Royal Naval Association, for voluntary services to Veterans; Bronagh Hegarty, the Western Health and Social Care’s principal pharmacist for patient services and procurement, for services to Healthcare and Pharmacy; Donald Hill, for services to the community in County Londonderry; and
Lesley Porter who was the Principal’s personal assistant at Oakgrove Integrated College, for services to reconciliation in Northern Ireland,” said Ald McMorris.
Ald Mc Morris said she would like to pass on her personal congratulations to all of the recipients and requested the Council send letters of congratulation.
Ald Guy said all of the awards were “well deserved” by their recipients.
Cllr Paul Gallagher (Independent) then said he would like to abstain from the proposal as he didn’t agree with such accolades.
Agreeing with Cllr Gallagher, Cllr Gary Donnelly said: “As a socialist and a republican I will not be supporting it. I will be abstaining.”
In the subsequent vote on the issue of letters of congratulations was passed by 18 votes in favour, none against and 20 abstentions.
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