Newry/Armagh - Conor Murphy MP
In 2005, Conor Murphy made history when he became the first Irish Republican to be elected as MP for Newry and Armagh. In 1998 after serving as a Newry and Mourne Councillor for eight years he was elected to the Assembly where he chaired the Assembly committee, was his Party Chief Whip and also held the position of Group Leader of the Sinn Féin MLA's in the Assembly. He was re-elected the Assembly in 2003. He has also been Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Equality and International Affairs at various times.
Conor is presently a key member of the Sinn Féin negotiating team with particular responsibility for institutional issues and has represented the Party at the Hillsborough, Leeds Castle and St Andrew's negotiations and ongoing negotiations since 1998 the Newry and Armagh MP has been particularly highlighted the issues of de-militarisation and collusion.
The married family man, who has been a lifelong Camlough resident, has a deep passion for the GAA and is an active member of the local GAA Club, where he has been involved in coaching and underage football for many years. He plays an active role in community life in the area, working with the various Community Regeneration, Community Development and Féile Festival Committees and was formerly Chairperson of the Bunscoil an Iúir Board of Governors. The former political prisoner sits on the Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin governing body the Dáil Ceantair, and is a member of the Steele / Mc Creesh Sinn Féin Cumann in his home village.
The Sinn Féin MP has gained a great respect from all quarters for his commitment to serving all communities. He has endeavoured to see local democracy strengthened and brought closer to people in a meaningful, effective and efficient way. He has led the way in working with communities across the Newry and Armagh area to bring about change and ensure that the needs and concerns of people and communities are highlighted and addressed. Connor as an MLA and a member of a strong Newry and Armagh Sinn Féin team will continue to act in the best interests of all whom they represent in continuing to Deliver in the Peace Process and in Delivering Locally.
Conor recognises that beyond the politics of the peace process there are other big issues of job creation, policing and the justice system, water and rates charges, rural and urban planning, the environment, education and health, racism and sectarianism which along with many more issues of concern need to be tackled. All of these affect every individual and every family, whether they are unionist, nationalist or republican.
