Former Maghaberry senior officer and victims advocate Ian Irwin chosen as UUP candidate for Mid Ulster

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA, and the party’s candidate for Mid Ulster in next May’s Northern Ireland Assembly election, Ian Irwin.

Monday 26 October 2026

The Ulster Unionist Party has selected former prison officer and victims advocate Ian Irwin as its candidate for Mid Ulster in next May’s Northern Ireland Assembly election.

Mr Irwin, who has been a member of the party for more than 15 years, will seek to secure an Assembly seat for the UUP in a constituency where he believes recent boundary changes have created an opportunity for unionism to return two MLAs.

His selection was confirmed by party leader Jon Burrows MLA, who highlighted Mr Irwin’s experience in the prison service, his work supporting victims and survivors of the Troubles, and his involvement in addressing community safety concerns.

Background in prisons and victims advocacy

Mr Irwin previously served for five years as a prison officer at HMP Maghaberry, rising to the rank of Senior Officer, before moving into the victims sector.

Mr Irwin during his time as a prison officer at HMP Maghaberry

He currently advocates for victims and survivors of the Troubles, including people living in Mid Ulster, and holds a master’s degree in trauma studies and a BA in management.

He also sits on the Mid Ulster Policing and Community Safety Partnership, working with residents and statutory organisations on issues affecting local communities.

His role involves liaison with Mid Ulster District Council, the Housing Executive, the Department for Infrastructure and other agencies on local concerns.

Candidate pledges to reach disillusioned voters

Following his selection by the party’s Mid Ulster Association, Mr Irwin said he intended to campaign across the constituency and engage with residents who have become disengaged from politics.

He 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.”

His comments set out the party’s ambition to strengthen its Assembly representation in Mid Ulster, although the eventual distribution of seats will be determined by voters at the election.

Party leader backs candidate’s experience

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows MLA welcomed the selection, describing Mr Irwin’s professional and community experience as important strengths for the campaign.

Mr Burrows 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.”

Mr Irwin has indicated that he intends to bring the practical approach developed through his work with victims and public agencies into his election campaign and, if elected, his role at Stormont.

His selection gives the Ulster Unionists a confirmed candidate in Mid Ulster ahead of the May 2027 Assembly election, with the party seeking to translate its ambitions for increased unionist representation into electoral support.