Fearghal McKinney (born 6 July 1962 in Derry, Northern Ireland)[1] is an Irish politician and former journalist.

[3][5] He has also reported on, introduced television debates about, and co-hosted UTV's coverage of local and general elections.

[9] McKinney unsuccessfully contested the Parliamentary constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the 2010 Westminster general election for the Social Democratic and Labour Party.

[13] After becoming an MLA, McKinney raised a number of health issues within the Northern Ireland Assembly including the introduction of amendments to ban smoking in cars with children.

[15] On 25 June 2015, McKinney was selected as an SDLP candidate for South Belfast in the Northern Ireland Assembly election on 5 May 2016, but he was unsuccessful in defending the seat he inherited from Conall McDevitt.