Hugh News

Who is Hugh News?

Hugh News is a former Irish nationalist politician.

News studied at St Colman's College, Newry before working as a pharmacist and publican in Lurgan. In 1964, he was elected to Lurgan Borough Council, serving for three years as a member of the Independent Citizens' Association. He joined the Social Democratic and Labour Party in the early 1970s, and was elected for the party to Craigavon Borough Council in 1973, holding his seat at each election until he stood down in 1989

News was elected in Armagh at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1973, and held his seat on the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention in 1975 and at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1982. At the last two elections, he narrowly beat fellow SDLP member Paddy O'Hanlon for the final seat.

In October 1973, armed men, believed to be loyalist militants, threw a grenade at News' bar, injuring a customer and a barman. News also served as national vice-president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians through the 1970s.