Sinn Fein supports unionist Ian Marshall for Seanad

Ian Marshall, a former president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union was nominated by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

A dairy farmer from Markethill, Mr Marshall hopes his unionist background could bring a different perspective to the upper house of the Oireachtas.

He currently works at Queen’s University Belfast as Business Development Manager and has been an outspoken critic of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Announcing her party’s support for Mr Marshall’s candidacy, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said she been “impressed” by his strong anti-Brexit views.

She added: “I believe Ian will be a strong independent voice in the Seanad; providing an anti-Brexit unionist perspective, which is a welcome addition to the political discourse surrounding the issue in the Oireachtas.

“From his time as a farmer, as president of the Ulster Farmers Union, and his current position at Queens University, Ian is particularly qualified and experienced to advocate on behalf of farmers and the agri-sector; which faces massive challenges in the time ahead.”

The SF leader said she believed Mr Marshall would bring a “new and interesting voice to the discussion surrounding a New Ireland”.

She added:“Ian is a unionist. I am an Irish republican. As I have stated repeatedly, the Ireland I want to see is one where one can comfortably be Irish or British, both or neither.”

Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill also made clear her support for Mr Marshall, tweeting: “This is a positive decision. This island is collectively ours and we all have a job of work to do to make it somewhere where we all feel we belong.”

When asked for his reaction to Sinn Fein’s support for his candidacy, Mr Marshall told the News Letter he did not wish to comment on the matter until after the vote has taken place on Friday.

The seat on the Seanad’s agriculture panel was left vacant by the resignation of Labour Senator Denis Landy.

The Seanad is not directly elected. To win the seat, Mr Marshall will require support from current members of the Dail (TDs) and senators.