Tributes paid to former Alliance Councillor Patrick Mitchell

3.25.00pm GMT Mon 4th Dec 2006

Alliance Party Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long has led the tributes to his predecessor Patrick Mitchell, who passed away at the weekend.

Councillor Long, the party's Vice Chair, stated: "Patrick was a man of great courage who readily took on the challenge of resisting the Unionist majority in Castlereagh. He stood up for what he believed in and was capable of incredible hard work.

"He served within the party at all levels, and remained a committed activist right up until the week he passed away. He was a wealth of information for those of us in the party, in Castlereagh and elsewhere, who sought to follow in his footsteps."

Party Leader David Ford added: "The party offers its condolences to Patrick's family at this time. His sudden passing has come as a shock to all of us in the Alliance Party, who will miss his drive, determination and wit."

ENDS