WATCH: Veteran Republican Tony Hassan’s coffin at Shantallow Monument [Video]

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has expressed sadness at the death of long-serving Derry councillor and party colleague, Tony Hassan.

Ms McDonald said: “On behalf of the Sinn Féin leadership, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Tony’s wife Christine, his children Ciarán and Áine, his grandchildren and the wider Hassan family.”

She added: “He was a larger than life, much-loved and selfless character who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others and epitomised what it was to be a local councillor.

“Tony Hassan was grounded in community life. He was at the heart of working to transform the Greater Shantallow Area and to build Sinn Féin in the city over the decades, 21 years of those serving as an elected representative. 

“Tony never stood still. He will be fondly remembered for his determination to deliver more homes for families and the development of the Skeoge Road …