Ian Milne (born 8 April 1954) is an Irish republican politician from Northern Ireland.

Background

Born in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Milne joined the Official Irish Republican Army-linked Fianna Éireann youth group soon after its formation, but the following year moved to join the Provisional IRA. He was gaoled in 1971, after explosives went off in a car in which he was travelling. He was imprisoned in the Crumlin Road Jail, but escaped in January 1973. The following year, he was arrested in the Republic of Ireland after stealing a Garda car, and was sentenced to five years in Portlaoise Prison. However, he again escaped, and remained an active paramilitary based in Northern Ireland.

Ian Milne

During the mid-1970s, the Royal Ulster Constabulary described Milne as one of its three "most wanted". In 1977, he was arrested and sentenced to life for killing a British soldier. Serving time at Long Kesh, he participated in the blanket protest. He was released in 1992.

Ian Milne

At the 2005 Northern Ireland local elections, Milne was elected to Magherafelt District Council for Sinn Féin, and he held his seat in 2011. While on the council, he spent a period as chairman. In 2013, he was co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly in Mid Ulster, replacing Francie Molloy. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for Mid Ulster at the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election.

Ian Milne

In September 2017 Milne was served civil writs for his alleged involvement in the murder of Jimmy Speer on 9 November 1976.

In December 2018, he resigned as MLA to seek reelection to local government. He was elected to Mid Ulster District Council in 2019.

References

1954 births

Members of Magherafelt District Council

Members of Mid Ulster District Council

Irish republicans

Living people

Northern Ireland MLAs 2011–2016

Northern Ireland MLAs 2016–2017

Northern Ireland MLAs 2017–2022

People convicted of murder by Northern Ireland

People from County Londonderry

Politicians convicted of murder

Provisional Irish Republican Army members

Republicans imprisoned during the Northern Ireland conflict

Sinn Féin MLAs

Sinn Féin councillors in Northern Ireland