|
Matthew McDermott
Chair
Matthew McDermott is 24 years old and is the SDLP's youngest political representative,
serving on Lisburn City Council. Matthew is also the parliamentary adviser to Alex Attwood,
west Belfast MLA. He is secretary to the Association of SDLP Councillors, a member of the
Party Executive Committee and a member of the District Policing Partnership in Lisburn.
He has been a member of the SDLP since 2006 and has been an active member in the youth group
and his local branch, contributing to the work that they have done.
This year, as chair, Matthew will be driving forward a relevant and progressive program of work
for the youth group and as a representative of the future of the party, the youth group has an
extremely important role to play over the next year and into the future.
Politically his interests are policing, justice, community development and the environment.
Outside of politics he spends his spare time with his young family.
Katherine McCloskey
Vice Chair
Katherine is a 21 year old student from Belfast. She is currently studying for a Masters in Legal
Science at Queen's University. She has been actively involved in the SDLP for the past three years
and has been re-elected to the position of Vice-Chair for the second year running. As well as this,
Katherine is the current secretary of the Bellevue/Whitehouse branch in North Belfast. Last year
she also spent time working for Carmel Hanna MLA as her constituency assistant in her South Belfast
office. Katherine is hoping to build on the progress made by last year's Executive and is confident
that the new Executive will be stronger than ever.
Meg Fegan
Campaigns Officer
Meg Fegan is an 18-year-old student from Belfast. Meg joined the SDLP in February 2009 after spending
two weeks work experience with the SDLP Stormont team and getting a closer look at how it works and operates.
Meg was an active campaigner during the European election and worked as a summer intern in Alban Maginness
MLA, office where she has had a true insight into the ideals and values of local politics in her
native north Belfast.
Meg has a lot to offer the party as campaigns officer and believes that a strong youth presence within
the party will be of long-term benefit and preparing young people for a future in politics and building
the SDLP of the future is something Meg is looking forward to contributing too.
Eamon McAuley
Campaigns Officer
Eamon is 24 years old and a recent liberal arts graduate of St. Mary's
University. Eamon joined the SDLP during a placement last February,
got involved in the European election campaign and enjoyed his
experiences so much he is now working as a research assistant for Mark Durkan.
Eamon is a keen traveller and has visited many places across Europe,
spending extended time in Belgium and Slovakia. By some strange
coincidence Europes finest beers can also be found in these countries.
Through his travels Eamon has found a common voice among young people
and feels a strong connection to Europe is vital for the future of
Irish politics.
As Campaign officer Eamon aims to focus on relevant local issues,
tackle growing apathy towards politics and emphasise the wealth of
talent the young people of Ireland have to offer to the future of this
country.
Connor Daly
University & Colleges Officer
Connor is a 20-year-old student from Armagh City, currently in his second year studying Politics
at Queen's University Belfast.
Connor first became involved in the SDLP through his local branch and has a keen interest in
local politics, and is keen to add to the positive work within universities and colleges that
the youth group has undertaken over the last number of years, as the new Universities and
Colleges Officer.
Connor's political interests are in cross-border co-operation, particularly in areas such as crime
prevention, health and tourism. In his spare time he enjoys sports writing, taking part in sports
and reading Irish history and politics.
Gavin Boyd
International Officer
Gavin is a Law graduate from Queen.s University and is currently studying for a Masters in
Human Rights Law from the University of Ulster.
He has been a member of the SDLP since 2006, being both active in his local branch in Balmoral,
south Belfast, as well as an active member of SDLP Youth, joining through it's Queen's branch.
Gavin was elected as International Officer at the 2009 SDLP Youth Annual Conference, and holds a
keen interest in International Affairs. He is looking forward to contributing to a busy program
of work in his role. As members of PSE and ECOSY (European Community of Socialist Youth) as well
as SI and IUSY (International Union of Socialist Youth) there is a need to increase and strengthen
links between our organisations, as well as providing a strong and progressive voice within
these bodies.
Aisling Twomey-O'Connor
Secretary/Treasurer
Aisling Twomey-O'Connor is 28 years old and graduated from MMU Cheshire in 2004 with a
BA Hons American Studies. Throughout her time at University, she served on several
committees as well as serving as Site Officer (VP) for MMU Cheshire, representing the
Students on local level through Student Staff Forum and Faculty Committee, but also
attending National lobbying events on behalf of the students.
Since joining the SDLP staff as the Administration Officer for the SDLP Assembly group, she
has become involved with the SDLP Youth and this year was elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
Upon her workload in Stormont and SDLP Youth, she is working with her colleagues to raise
the profile of the SDLP in Lagan Valley.
Aisling has a keen interest in building a shared future in a new, prosperous and agreed new Ireland.
Michelle Byrne
Public Relations Officer
Michelle is a 22-year-old politics graduate at Queens University. She first became involved in
the SDLP via the University and has since maintained a very active role within the party. Michelle
is currently the Secretary of the Women.s Group and active within her local branch.
Michelle visited Seattle in 2003 to take part in a very special conference organised by the
University of Washington, which ran for a couple of days. During this time Michelle was the guest
speaker from Ireland. Following a successful conference Michelle was then asked to return to
Seattle the following year, this time to explore the Israel/Palestine debate with other UW
and Seattle University students.
Currently Michelle works for Carmel Hanna MLA as her Parliamentary Assistant.
|
