Mary McSorley
Mary McSorley  | |
|---|---|
| Member of  Magherafelt District Council  | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 19 May 1993  | |
| Preceded by | District created | 
| Succeeded by | John Walsh | 
| Constituency | Sperrin | 
| In office 20 October 1981 – 15 May 1985  | |
| Preceded by | John Henning | 
| Succeeded by | District abolished | 
| Constituency | Magherafelt Area A | 
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly  for Mid Ulster  | |
| In office 20 October 1982 – 1986  | |
| Preceded by | Assembly re-established | 
| Succeeded by | Assembly abolished | 
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Independent Nationalist  (from 1989)  | 
| Other political affiliations  | Social Democratic and Labour (until 1989) | 
Mary Katherine McSorley MBE is a former Irish nationalist politician.
Political career
McSorley joined the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), and was elected to Magherafelt District Council in 1981.[1] She was then elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1982, representing Mid Ulster.[2]
In January 1989, McSorley accepted an MBE.[3] This was against SDLP policy which stated that members should not accept British honours. It prompted talk of a split in the party, but McSorley was persuaded to resign.[4] She held her council seat as an independent in 1989,[5] but didn't stand for re-election in 1993.[6]
References
- ^ The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Magherafelt, Northern Ireland Elections
 - ^ Mid Ulster 1973–82.
 - ^ Tim Pat Coogan, The Troubles: Ireland's Ordeal 1966–1996 and the Search for Peace
 - ^ Dearbhail McDonald, "Kelly defies SDLP ban to accept OBE in New Year's honours list", The Times, 1 January 2006
 - ^ Local Government Elections 1985 – 1989: Magherafelt, Northern Ireland Elections
 - ^ Magherafelt District Council Elections 1993–2005, Northern Ireland Elections