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New High Sheriff of Belfast to be sworn in
10 January 2007
Councillor Jim Kirkpatrick will be sworn in as the new High Sheriff of Belfast, in a traditional ceremony at the City Hall on Wednesday 17 January.
The ceremony originally was due to take place on 9 January, but was postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Councillor David Ervine.
Councillor Kirkpatrick is the first person to have held the office on two separate occasions, having previously served as High Sheriff in 1990.
He succeeds Councillor William Humphrey as High Sheriff.
The Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898 provided for the appointment of a Sheriff for the newly created County of the City of Belfast. The first High Sheriff of Belfast, Sir James Henderson, was appointed in January 1900.
Unlike the Mayoral year, the post of High Sheriff begins in January and ends the following December.
Historically, the sheriff’s role has been that of protector of the monarch`s interests: however, the role is now largely ceremonial. Since 1973, the appointment has been made by the Secretary of State, usually on the recommendation of Belfast City Council.
ENDS
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