19 Facts About Mark Durkan

Mark Durkan contested the Dublin constituency for Fine Gael at the 2019 European Parliament election.

John Mark Durkan was born in Derry, County Londonderry; his father, Brendan, was a Royal Ulster Constabulary District Inspector in Armagh.

Mark Durkan was raised by his mother, Isobel, after his father was killed in a road accident in 1961.

Mark Durkan was educated at St Patrick's Primary School and at St Columb's College, where he was Head Boy.

Mark Durkan studied politics at the Queen's University of Belfast, and later did a part-time postgraduate course in Public Policy Management with the University of Ulster at Magee.

Mark Durkan was elected Deputy President of the Union of Students in Ireland from 1982 to 1984.

Mark Durkan became involved in politics in 1981 when he became a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party.

Mark Durkan became a key figure in organising by-election campaigns for Seamus Mallon and Eddie McGrady in the 1980s.

In 1990 Mark Durkan became chairperson of the SDLP, a position he served in until 1995.

Mark Durkan was a key member of the party's negotiating team in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement.

Mark Durkan served in that position until 2001 when he replaced Seamus Mallon as deputy First Minister.

Mark Durkan was elected Leader of the SDLP the same year.

Mark Durkan was re-elected to the Assembly in the election of November 2003.

Mark Durkan announced his intention to stand down as leader of the SDLP in September 2009 so he could concentrate on his parliamentary career.

Mark Durkan was replaced as leader by Margaret Ritchie in February 2010.

Mark Durkan has publicly supported gay rights by supporting the Foyle Pride Festival in Derry, in solidarity with those who suffer homophobic prejudice and in some cases violent hate attacks.

Mark Durkan joined Fine Gael in March 2019 to contest the 2019 European Parliament election for the Dublin constituency but failed to gain a seat.

Mark Durkan is retired from frontline politics, but remains an active member and supporter of the SDLP.

Mark Durkan's nephew Mark H Durkan is an SDLP MLA for Foyle.