Introduction
Ian Milne (born 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.
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.
At the Northern Ireland local elections, 2005, 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 (Assembly constituency) at Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2016.