Catney previously served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Lagan Valley from 2017 to 2022.

Before entering politics, Catney ran the Kitchen Bar, and was involved in the running of the parish centre at St Patrick's Church in Lisburn.

Catney was elected onto the successor Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in 2014, again representing Killutagh.

Catney responded by saying "Such actions didn't deter me then, and Saturday’s empty protest by this group will not deter me now," adding that "Lisburn is a city for all, Catholic, Protestant and dissenter – any message that undermines the good relations of this great city is not welcome.

Catney announced he would be standing in the 2023 Northern Ireland local elections[11] and was later confirmed as the SDLP candidate for Lisburn North.