Lilian Seenoi-Barr

Lilian Seenoi-Barr (born October 1981)^[1] is a Kenyan-born Northern Irish politician and councillor for Derry City and Strabane District Council, where she represents the Social Democratic and Labour Party. On 29 April 2024, Seenoi-Barr made history after being selected as the next First Citizen of Derry City and Strabane, and consequently as Northern Ireland's first black mayor.^[2]

Early life and career

Born in

A member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, who previously served as chair of its Derry City and Strabane branch, Seenoi-Barr first stood for election to Derry City and Strabane District Council's Foyleside ward in 2019, but was not successful despite polling well. In June 2021, she was co-opted onto the council following Councillor Mary Durkan's decision to step down from her role as councillor.^[6] She retained her Foyleside seat at the 2023 election,^[7] and in doing so became the first black person to be elected to public office in Northern Ireland.^[4]

Mayor of Derry and Strabane

On 29 April 2024, it was announced that Seemoi-Barr would become Northern Ireland's first black mayor after the Social Democratic and Labour Party appointed her as Derry and Strabane's First Citizen, succeeding

However, Seenoi-Barr's appointment attracted criticism from some within her party, who felt the way the decision was made was undemocratic. Jason Barr, serving as deputy mayor of Derry and Strabane at the time of Seenoi-Barr's appointment, resigned from the Social Democratic and Labour Party, saying he had been "left in an untenable position due to the decisions made by the management committee".[7] The appointment prompted a second resignation from the party a few days later, when Shauna Cusack became an independent councillor.^[9] On 4 May, * 4 May, the Social Democratic and Labour Party announced it would make changes to the way it made "civil leadership" appointments following the resignations.^[10]

News of her appointment attracted online abuse from prominent