Tributes paid to former SDLP council chair Arthur Duddy

Tributes have been paid to Arthur Duddy, the former SDLP chair of the now-defunct Newry and Mourne District Council.

The Newry man died last week, aged 90. His funeral took place on Monday at St Mary’s Church in Newry.

A former Royal Mail employee and enthusiastic supporter of Newry Mitchels GAC, Mr Duddy was described as a “founding father” of the SDLP.

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said the former councillor was “personable, down to earth, and very well known”.

“I am so sad to hear of the passing of one of the SDLP’s founding fathers, Arthur Ruddy RIP,” the SDLP representative said. 

“A huge family man, Arthur was a beacon of what is good during the darkest of times serving on council for many years including two stints as chair.”

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Killian Feehan, chair of the Newry and Armagh SDLP constituency branch, described his late colleague as an “excellent public representative and dedicated Gael who held the SDLP values of respect and integrity close to his heart”. 

“He worked tirelessly throughout his political life for the people he represented and was held in high esteem by the people of Newry holding the position of chair of Newry and Mourne District Council on two occasions,” he said. 

Mr Duddy was predeceased by his wife Patsy and survived by his children Kathy, Kieran, Art, Theresa, Liam, Patricia and Shauna. 

Former Newry and Mourne MLA Danny Kennedy, who served alongside the deceased as a councillor, said he found Mr Ruddy “very honourable in all his dealings”.

“We differed politically on many things but retained a mutual respect. Arthur was a dedicated local representative for the SDLP who served Newry town, as it then was, with distinction and led the council for two years as chairman,” Mr Kennedy said.