New Year Honours: Ian Marshall, the first unionist to sit in Seanad honoured with OBE

Ian Marshall has been recognised in the New Year Honours list for his public and political service.

The former senator and president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union said he was “completely blindsided” when he received the notification of the honour.

The 53-year-old, from Co Armagh, was the first unionist to be elected to the Republic’s upper chamber in 2018, as an independent.

He lost his seat in the Seanad elections in April last year and has since joined the Ulster Unionist Party and will run in the Stormont Assembly elections in 2022.

He said: “I had no idea I had even been nominated, it came completely out of the blue. I was completely blindsided by this. I am really honoured and astounded that I was even considered for this.

Mr Marshall entered public life as a lobbyist at 18.

He said: “I did that and then I became president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union. I worked for about eight to 10 years on the agri-food strategy board and then I took the opportunity to run in the Seanad by-election.

“I ran and was elected to the Irish Seanad.

“I was always minded that I was there as an Ulster unionist, I was there to represent unionist opinions and perspectives.

“I spent all my life in politics and public life trying to make things better, to change things. It is lovely for that to be recognised and acknowledged – that is a huge honour and a huge privilege.”

Mr Marshall said he is optimistic for the political future in Northern Ireland.

He said: “I have always maintained in Northern Ireland the silent majority is the important voice, the largest number of people are fundamentally good people who want to see Northern Ireland thrive and do well.

“They are cognisant and aware of the troubles we have had and recognise that but want to focus on building a shared future together for everyone.”

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