By Conchúr Richards
Brandywell Play Park will be re-named after the late Brian McMenamin who passed away in 2020.
The motion was tabled by Sinn Féin councillors Patricia Logue and Emma McGinley on behalf of the Longtower Youth Club Youth Committee and was passed unanimously at October’s full council meeting.
Councillor Logue spoke on the proposal and said, “I knew Brian personally, and he was a stalwart of community activism and alongside others he was integral in developing the youth and community services here in the Brandywell.”
“Nothing was a barrier to participation for young people when it came to Brian, and I think the youth committee’s proposal is a fitting one to remember Brian” she continued.
Councillor McGinley stated, “”I think it’s really important that our young people are a part of democratic processes and have an avenue for having their views heard and represented. This motion came from the youth at Longtower Youth Club, as they wanted to pay tribute to Brian McMenamin, and we’re delighted that it has passed with unanimous support across the chamber and can now move to the next stages of the processes.”
She went on to say, “We will continue to work with the Youth Committee and Council officers to ensure this progresses forward.”
This comes as a fitting tribute to a “Stalwart” of the community within the city and Brian affected the lives of many young people within the city by working at the Longtower Youth Club for over 40 years.
A mural was dedicated to Brian in 2021 at the youth club and alongside this, many feel Brian’s continued service to the city is deservedly recognised.
