SF's John O'Dowd and Catherine Seeley emerge victorious in Assembly election

Speaking as they emerged from the count in Banbridge tonight, John O’Dowd also paid tribute to the SDLP’s Dolores Kelly who lost her seat after 12 years.

Mr O’Dowd, who had been Education Minister in the previous adminstration, admitted it was ‘down to the wire at the very end’.

He described it as an ‘historic victory’.

“Catherine and I have fought hard for this seat,” he said.

“Our condolences to the other candidates especially Dolores Kelly who has been a long serving member of Upper Bann and Craigavon but the people have spoken and democracy has prevailed and myself and Catherine are elected,” he said.

Catherine Seeley thanked the huge team behind them.

“This has been a long term goal and strategy in Upper Bann. It takes two and we have done it,” said Catherine.