Mark Durkan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Durkan
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Durkan in 2011
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| Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland | |
| In office 6 November 2001 – 14 October 2002 Serving with David Trimble
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| Preceded by | Seamus Mallon |
| Succeeded by | John Reid (As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) Martin McGuinness (2007) |
| Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| In office 6 November 2001 – 7 February 2010 |
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| Deputy | Bríd Rodgers Alasdair McDonnell |
| Preceded by | John Hume |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Ritchie |
| Member of Parliament for Foyle |
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| In office 5 May 2005 – 3 May 2017 |
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| Preceded by | John Hume |
| Succeeded by | Elisha McCallion |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Foyle |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 9 November 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Pól Callaghan |
| Member of Derry City Council |
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| In office 19 May 1993 – 7 June 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Anna Gallagher |
| Succeeded by | Séan Carr |
| Constituency | Northland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Mark Durkan
26 June 1960 Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fine Gael SDLP |
| Spouse | Jackie Durkan |
| Children | Dearbháil Durkan |
| Parents | Brendan Durkan Isobel Durkan |
| Relatives | Mark H. Durkan |
| Alma mater | Queen's University Belfast University of Ulster |
| a. b. |
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Mark Durkan (born June 26, 1960) is a retired politician from Northern Ireland. He was a leader in the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). From 2001 to 2002, he served as the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. He was also the leader of the SDLP from 2001 to 2010. Later, in 2019, he ran for the European Parliament in Dublin.
Early Life and Education
John Mark Durkan was born in Derry, County Londonderry. His father, Brendan, was a police officer. Sadly, his father passed away in a road accident in 1961. Mark was then raised by his mother, Isobel.
He went to St. Patrick's Primary School. Later, he attended St. Columb's College, where he was a top student. Mark studied politics at the Queen's University of Belfast (QUB). He also took a course in Public Policy Management at the University of Ulster at Magee. While at QUB, he was Deputy President of the Students' Union from 1982 to 1983. He also served as Deputy President of the Union of Students in Ireland.
Political Journey
Mark Durkan started his political career in 1981. He joined the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). In 1984, he began working for John Hume, a well-known politician. Mark helped organize election campaigns for other SDLP members.
From 1990 to 1995, Durkan was the chairperson of the SDLP. He was very important in the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. After the agreement, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998. He became a government minister, in charge of Finance and Personnel.
In 2001, he became the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. He also became the leader of the SDLP that same year. He was re-elected to the Assembly in 2003. In 2005, he won the Foyle seat in the UK Parliament. He took over from John Hume and won with many votes.
In September 2009, Durkan decided to step down as SDLP leader. He wanted to focus on his work in Parliament. Margaret Ritchie became the new leader in 2010. Mark Durkan has supported gay rights, including the Foyle Pride Festival. In 2011, he voted against military action in Libya.
In March 2019, he joined Fine Gael, an Irish political party. He ran for the European Parliament in Dublin but did not win a seat. Mark Durkan is now retired from major political roles. However, he remains a supporter of the SDLP.
Family Life
Mark Durkan is married to Jackie Durkan. They have one child, a daughter named Dearbháil. His nephew, Mark H. Durkan, is also a politician. He is an SDLP member of the Assembly for Foyle.
