A Sinn Féin councilor has been expelled from the party after he was convicted of sexual assault.
auseway Coast and Glens Councilor Cathal McLaughlin, of Mounthill Park in Cloughmills, was convicted at trial in Scotland on 11 July under section three of the Sexual Offenses Scotland Act (2009).
The offense in question took place in Scotland on October 15, 2021.
In a statement, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said they had written to McLaughlin to notify him of his eviction.
“Sinn Féin has written to Councilor Cathal McLaughlin after receiving information that he has been convicted of a serious criminal offense by a Scottish court,” the spokesman said.
“Our thoughts are with the victim of this serious crime of assault.
“Cathal McLaughlin never informed the party that he was facing criminal charges.
“Given the seriousness of the crime, his membership of Sinn Fein will be terminated with immediate effect.”
McLaughlin previously served on the old Ballymoney Borough Council before being co-opted into Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in 2016 to replace Philip McGuigan, following his election to the Assembly.
At the time of his co-option in 2016, McLaughlin said: “It is an honor to be selected to represent the people of North Antrim as a councillor.
“I will try to build on the good work of Philip McGuigan and work for the people of North Antrim and across the constituency.”
McLaughlin will be sentenced on August 8.