{"id":3644,"date":"2016-05-12T09:13:15","date_gmt":"2016-05-12T08:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=3644"},"modified":"2016-05-12T10:09:16","modified_gmt":"2016-05-12T09:09:16","slug":"3644","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=3644","title":{"rendered":"Doug Beattie elected"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A war hero was elected to the Assembly<\/span><\/a>\u00a0as he buried his 15-month grandson.<\/p>\n

Ulster Unionist<\/span><\/a> Doug Beattie, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, won a seat in the Upper Bann constituency days after his family was shattered by the sudden death of Cameron Tindale.<\/p>\n

The youngster died in his sleep on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

Political rival Dolores Kelly said the tragedy put her loss at the polls into perspective yesterday. The SDLP woman said: \u201cDoug Beattie buried his grandson. I am going home to my grandchildren.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Beattie has been awarded the Queen\u2019s Commendation for Bravery for his actions in Iraq, the Military Cross for bravery in Afghanistan, and the Nato Meritorious Service Medal for his peacekeeping contributions in Bosnia.<\/p>\n

MORE: Who got elected in my area? Assembly Election 2016 results<\/span><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n

MORE: Ruth Patterson to bow out of politics following Assembly election failure<\/span><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n

On Friday he said: \u201cI have waited until after the polling stations closed to take this opportunity to thank all those who have sent their condolences.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur lovely grandson Cameron was a beautiful young lad and although only 15 months old he had a huge personality.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis smile lit the room and our lives and the news of his passing has devastated the whole family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have received messages of support from all quarters – friends, family, colleagues, political opponents. I can but thank you all for taking the time to think of us at this terrible time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have passed on all your messages to my daughter Leigh and her husband Mark who continue to struggle with their loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final votes were tallied up yesterday afternoon with DUP leader Arlene Foster hailing her party\u2019s \u201ctremendous\u201d performance in the election after an unexpected repeat of its best ever Stormont haul.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

This article first appeared in Belfast Live<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Share\"\/<\/a>