Gareth Wilson

Gareth Wilson
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Newry and Armagh
Assumed office
5 January 2026 [1]
Preceded byWilliam Irwin
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Councillor
for Cusher
In office
22 May 2014 – 12 December 2025
Preceded byNew council
Armagh District Councillor
for Cusher
In office
5 May 2005 – 22 May 2014
Preceded byJames Clayton
Succeeded byCouncil abolished
Personal details
PartyDemocratic Unionist Party

Gareth Wilson is a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician who has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Newry and Armagh since January 2026.[1][2]

Political career

Wilson was first elected onto Armagh District Council at the 2005 election, which saw the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) take three seats in the Cusher DEA.[3][4] He retained his seat at the 2011 local elections.[5]

Following the reorganisation of local government in preparation for the 2014 local elections, Wilson was returned to represent Cusher on the newly-merged Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council.[6] He was re-elected at the 2019 and 2023 Council elections.[7][8]

At the 2024 general election, Wilson ran as the DUP's candidate in Newry and Armagh, taking third place with 12.8% of the vote.[9][10]

Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly

In December 2025, it was announced that Wilson will be co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly, succeeding long-serving Newry and Armagh member William Irwin.[11][12] He took his seat on 5 January 2026.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "DUP councillor co-opted into vacant assembly seat". BBC News. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Councillor co-opted to Stormont to replace outgoing DUP MLA due to retire at Christmas". Belfast Telegraph. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Northern Ireland councils: Armagh - BBC News". BBC News. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Armagh District Council, 1993-2011". Ark elections. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Northern Ireland council elections". BBC News. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council". Ark elections. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Election Results 2019 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council". Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
  8. ^ "Election Results 2023 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council". Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
  9. ^ "Newry and Armagh - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Newry and Armagh general election - July 2024". UK Parliament. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  11. ^ "DUP confirms new Newry & Armagh MLA selection". Democratic Unionist Party. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  12. ^ "DUP: Gareth Wilson selected as Newry and Armagh MLA". Northern Ireland Elects. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 13 December 2025.