John Patrick McGowan, known as Paddy McGowan, is a Northern Irish politician.
Background McGowan worked in the fire serviceRich Bowden, "Seven feared dead in Omagh blaze ", Monster and Critics before joining the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).
In 1981, McGowan stood for the SDLP in Omagh District "C", but was not elected.The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Omagh, Northern Ireland Elections In 1985, he was elected in Mid Tyrone, and in 1989, he moved to represent Omagh Town.Local Government Elections 1985 - 1989: Omagh, Northern Ireland Elections
McGowan was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996, representing West Tyrone.West Tyrone, Northern Ireland Elections He held his council seat in 1997,Omagh District Council Elections, 1993-2005, Northern Ireland Elections but left the SDLP in 1998, complaining that it had become too nationalist.
McGowan stood as an "Independent Community Candidate" at the 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election, but did not come close to taking a seat. Despite this, he held his council seat as an independent in 2001 and 2005. He is the Chairman of Omagh Safer Streets, holds an MBE and is a justice of the peace.
References
External links Personal website