Death of former Omagh Ulster Unionist councillor

FORMER UUP party colleagues have paid tribute to the former Omagh Ulster Unionist councillor, Rueben McKelvey, who has died.

Mr McKelvey was a popular figure in the local political scene in the 1990s and early 2000s. His funeral took place on Sunday at Edenderry Church of Ireland.

After initially failing in his bid for election to Omagh District Council in 1993, he returned in 1997 when he was elected for the Omagh Town Ward. He regained his seat four years later in 1997 and served until 2001 when he did not seek re-election.

His former colleague on the counil, Allan Rainey, said the success of his time in Omagh District Council was something that Mr McKelvey was proud of.

“He spoke in glowing terms of all the councillors he was privileged to serve with, the Chief Executive officers, officers and staff,” cllr Rainey said.

“Their ability to explore the many proposals of the meeting and bring recommendations that we should all feel proud to be associated with, especially the aftermath of the bomb that shook Omagh, and the council to its very foundations.”

Tribute was also paid by former Ulster Unionist MLA, Ros Hussey, who succeded Mr McKelvey on Omagh District Council in 2005. He described his former colleague as ‘one of Omagh’s characters.’