PETER Lynch has resigned from the Board of Invest NI just months after his appointment.
Sinn Féin Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald announced the resignation yesterday, which was described as “due to personal circumstances”.
He has been replaced by Maria McAllister, an associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants who currently works as transformation and governance director at GM Marketing.
Ms Archibald appointed Mr Lynch, chief executive of the West Belfast Partnership Board and a former IRA prisoner, to the Invest NI Board in April.
The Irish News revealed in May Mr Lynch was convicted in 1993 of conspiring to murder an RUC officer or civilian after he and two other IRA members were arrested.
Mr Lynch was appointed to the economic investment body alongside four others, including former Sinn Féin Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir. Both men declared that they had canvassed for the party in the last five years.
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald (Liam McBurney/PA)
In a statement yesterday afternoon, Ms Archibald said: “I am pleased to appoint Maria McAllister as a member of the Invest NI Board.
“Maria brings valuable experience in governance and risk management, and will be a valuable addition to the Board as Invest NI continues its work to support businesses, attract investment and drive economic growth across the north.”
The appointment will be effective until March 31 2029.
She added: “I would also like to thank Peter Lynch for his commitment and positive contribution during his time on the Board.”
Questions were raised in the Assembly over the appointment of Mr Lynch, whose Invest NI profile described him as a “community activist for over 20 years”.
Maria McAllister has been appointed to replace Peter Lynch on the Invest NI Board
Ms Archibald insisted the Invest NI appointment process was followed “robustly at all stages”.
She added: “I believe the people who were appointed will add value to the Invest NI board, every single one of them obviously came through the process and were deemed appropriate by the panel that selected them.”
In response to queries in May, a solicitor representing Mr Lynch said he was appointed to the Board of Invest NI “following a rigorous interview process” and that questions raised “centre on his conviction 35 years ago and his links to a political party”.
“As both of these are in the public domain we fail to see what our client could possibly add to your story.”