Former senior prison officer selected by the UUP to run as candidate for Mid Ulster in May's Assembly election
The Ulster Unionist Party has selected Ian Irwin as its candidate for Mid Ulster in next May’s Assembly election.
Mr Irwin, a former senior officer at HMP Maghaberry who now works in the victims sector, has been a member of the party for more than 15 years and sits on the Mid Ulster Policing and Community Safety Partnership. He holds a master’s degree in trauma studies and a BA in management.
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA said: “I am delighted to confirm Ian Irwin as our Ulster Unionist Party candidate for Mid Ulster.
“Ian has given more than 15 years to this party, and he brings to this campaign the kind of experience that matters. He spent five years as a prison officer at Maghaberry, rising to Senior Officer, and he now works in the victims sector, advocating for victims and survivors of the Troubles, including many here in Mid Ulster. He also sits on the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, where he works with residents and statutory agencies on the issues that affect them day to day.
“Mid Ulster unionists deserve a candidate who will work for them all year round, not just at election time. Ian will do exactly that, and I have no doubt he will be an outstanding MLA for Mid Ulster.”
Ulster Unionist Party candidate Ian Irwin said: “I am delighted to have been nominated by the Mid Ulster Association as their Assembly candidate. Mid Ulster deserves strong, positive unionism.
“I am not afraid of hard work, or of being a voice for the many people in Mid Ulster who have become disillusioned with politics and have switched off altogether.
“I intend to visit the length and breadth of the constituency, listening to residents’ views and concerns. Recent boundary changes mean unionism in Mid Ulster can return two MLAs, and I am standing to make sure one of them is an Ulster Unionist.”
Mr Irwin’s work in the victims sector has brought him into contact with people across Mid Ulster who feel they have been overlooked, and his role on the Policing and Community Safety Partnership involves regular liaison with Mid Ulster District Council, the Housing Executive, the Department for Infrastructure and other statutory agencies on local concerns.