Jim McLaughlin
Was elected and admitted as a
FREEMAN
Of
Derry City and Strabane District Council
In recognition of the outstanding record in Irish Football and as the only Team Manager who won the Treble in the League of Ireland. A man who is held in the highest esteem throughout the City and Country for his achievements in Irish Football, “Gentleman” Jim McLaughlin
29th May 2019
Pat McManus
Was posthumously admitted as a
FREEMAN
of
Derry City and Strabane District
In recognition of his commitment and service as a NHS Nurse
28th February 2022
Danny Quigley
Was elected and admitted as a
FREEMAN
Of
Derry City and Strabane District Council
In recognition of his completion of ten
Ironman Challenges in ten days, raising over £100,000 for local charities and promoting positive mental health through physical activity.
23rd May 2022
Lisa McGee
Was conferred with the
Freedom of Derry City and Strabane District
In recognition of the immense global positive impact her work in the arts has had on our City and District
5th December 2022
Phil Coulter
Was admitted as a
FREEMAN
of
Derry City and Strabane District
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the musical and cultural heritage of this City and this Island through song writing and performing prowess.
7th October 2022
Jon McCourt
20 December 2023
Institutional abuse campaigner Jon McCourt was conferred with the Freedom of Derry and Strabane at a special ceremony in the Guildhall.
Mr McCourt is one of the most high profile and leading campaigners for victims of historical institutional abuse in Ireland and is the founder and chairman of Survivors North West who represent victims of historic abuse at children's homes and other residential and state institutions.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, officially conferred the honour on Mr McCourt at a special meeting of Full Council in the Chamber before hosting his family and friends at a private reception in the building's Whittaker Suite.
“It was a huge honour for me to confer this honour on Jon McCourt on behalf of all the citizens of our City and District and victims of historical abuse all over the world," she said.
"This is our Council’s highest accolade in recognition of his courage and dignity in tirelessly campaigning for justice for all those who have experienced the horrors of abuse.
"Our community is a safer and fairer place thanks to Jon's bravery in speaking up so eloquently and his tenacious pursuit of truth and justice.
"I hope this award goes some way towards showing our gratitude that he did that and he rightfully takes his place alongside the select and illustrious groups of people who have received the honour."
Jon McCourt grew up in Derry and was a member of the civil rights movement in the 1960s and 70s.
He has been a community and peace activist since the 1970s and has campaigned in those areas for decades working with victims of Troubles violence and in youth and community relations projects.
The decision to confer the Freedom of the City and District was made at a Council meeting earlier this year following a notice of motion by People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin.
Other recipients of the Freedom of the City include the former Bishops of Derry, the late Most Rev Dr Edward Daly, and the Most Rev Dr James Mehaffey; Nobel Laureate, former SDLP leader John Hume and musician Phil Coulter.