Ian Milne

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.[2]

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.[2]

At the 2005 Northern Ireland local elections, Milne was elected to Magherafelt District Council for Sinn Féin, and he held his seat in 2011.[3] 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.[4] He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for Mid Ulster at the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election.

Milne has recently been served civil writs for his alleged involvement in the murder of Jimmy Speer on 9 November 1976.[5]

In December 2018, he resigned as MLA to seek reelection to local government.[6] He is was elected to Mid Ulster District Council in 2019.