CHAMPION athlete Mark English is to receive the Freedom of Donegal.
The decision means the gold-medal winner from Letterkenny will be given the highest civic honour that can be bestowed by Donegal County Council.
The announcement was made at today’s special plenary meeting of Donegal County Council.
A proposal had been made by Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick McGowan for English to be recognised at the September meeting of Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District (MD).
This proposal was seconded by Fine Gael councillor Martin Harley and passed on for approval to the plenary meeting today.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Sinn Féin’s Gary Doherty, praised English for being “extraordinary in his achievements”.
The proposal was unanimously supported by councillors.
English, who is from Letterkenny and is a member of Finn Valley AC, became the first Irish man to win a gold medal at the European Athletics Championship.
He won the 800 metres final in Birmingham in August.
The 33-year-old had already won five European medals before setting a championship record in his semi-final and taking the gold in the final.
He is also a qualified doctor.
The Freedom of Donegal is granted to those who have made remarkable achievements in their field or who have made an extraordinary contribution to the county.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Mark English celebrates after securing a European Gold medal in the 800m.