Michael Ferguson ( – 24 September 2006) was an Irish Sinn Fein politician who was a

Member of the Legislative Assembly A Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a representative elected to sit in a legislative assembly. The term most commonly refers to members of the legislature of a federated state or an autonomous region, but is also used for several nation ...

(MLA) for West Belfast from

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

until 2006. Ferguson also served as a Lisburn City Councillor for Dunmurry Cross from

1989 1989 was a turning point in political history with the "Revolutions of 1989" which ended communism in Eastern Bloc of Europe, starting in Poland and Hungary, with experiments in power-sharing coming to a head with the opening of the Berlin W ...

to 2006.

Politics and Life

'Michael was an imaginative and innovative activist who always looked to direct action. There really was no job too big or too small for him. When he and Louise moved to Poleglass, Michael's work in the community began in earnest. A classic example of an estate built for social control, Michael organised an escape. During their first summer there, Michael and Louise borrowed a bus from Queens University and each and every day took kids from a different cul-de-sac away on a daytrip to the seaside. He had talent for raising the profile of every issue he took on. His education remit was raised to a new level with his hard work and hard sell approach. Likewise with his various campaigns on housing, traffic calming, youth work and disability.' “He shifted effortlessly from one campaign to another: opposing death drivers, demanding an end to anti-social behaviour, protecting victims of crime, campaigning for better housing, traffic calming and more provision for youth and people with disabilities. Ferguson was convicted in 1975 of firearms offences, kidnapping and bank robbery. He held a bank manager and his family hostage aimed at raising funds for the INLA. Ferguson graduated from

Queen's University Belfast The Queen's University of Belfast, commonly known as Queen's University Belfast (; abbreviated Queen's or QUB), is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The university received its charter in 1845 as part of ...

in 1989 and became involved in politics. In 1989, Ferguson was elected as a

Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( ; ; ) is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The History of Sinn Féin, original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffit ...

representative on Lisburn City Council. In 1996 he was an unsuccessful candidate in the

Northern Ireland Forum The Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue was a body set up in 1996 as part of a process of negotiations that eventually led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The forum was elected, with five members being elected for each List o ...

election in Lagan Valley. In 2003, he was also elected to the

Northern Ireland Assembly The Northern Ireland Assembly (; ), often referred to by the metonym ''Stormont'', is the devolved unicameral legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliam ...

, to represent Belfast West.

Illness and death

Ferguson died on 24 September 2006 from

testicular cancer Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system. Symptoms may include a lump in the testicle or swelling or pain in the scrotum. Treatment may result in infertility. Risk factors include an c ...

. He had spoken about the illness to the Belfast-based '' Irish News'', saying "Men are neglectful of their own health and do not visit their doctors."

Being Honoured

Local supporters and community workers renamed the Poleglass Roundabout on Belfast’s Stewartstown Road in honour of Sinn Féin activist and MLA Michael Ferguson. The renaming ceremony took place in the presence of the Ferguson family on the Thursday, 25 September, the second anniversary of the Sinn Féin Assembly member’s death.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferguson, Michael 1953 births 2006 deaths Date of birth missing Sinn Féin MLAs Northern Ireland MLAs 2003–2007 Deaths from testicular cancer in the United Kingdom Deaths from cancer in Northern Ireland Alumni of Queen's University Belfast Politicians from Lisburn Sinn Féin councillors in Northern Ireland Members of Lisburn City Council Irish National Liberation Army members Hostage taking in the United Kingdom People convicted of kidnapping Irish kidnappers People convicted of robbery Bank robbers