Faughan: ‘We have a track record in rural hinterland’

The incumbent Derry City Councillor polled second only to his poll-topping party colleague Gary Middleton.

With 936 first preferences, Mr Devenney was the second over the line following the exclusion of UKIP’s Geoff Cruickshank, the distribution of Mr Middleton’s small surplus and the exclusion of Alliance candidate David Hawthorne.

Speaking from the hustings at the Templemore count centre on Saturday he said: “Deputy Returning Officer (DRD), first of all, can I thank you and your staff and I have to say, under some difficult circumstances, finally we got there.

“First of all I would like to, once again, thank our election agent, who has done a superb job, getting us out canvassing and organising all that behind the scenes.

“I want to congratualte my colleague, Gary Middleton, who fought a very good campaign for the DUP here in Londonderry, and we have proven we have a track record here in Londonderry, working for the people and now looking forward to working for the people within the new Strabane area.”