List of United Kingdom MPs with the shortest service, "O'Neill extends condolences at death of Tom Mitchell", "Tributes paid following the death of former Sinn Féin MP Tom Mitchell | An Phoblacht", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Mitchell_(Irish_politician)&oldid=985911304, Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Mid Ulster, Irish Republican Army (1922–1969) members, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Irish English, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2020, Wikipedia articles incorporating an LRPP-MP template without an unnamed parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 October 2020, at 17:59.

[6], On this occasion, his defeated opponent Charles Beattie lodged an election petition, claiming to have won on the basis that voters knew Mitchell to be disqualified and incapable of election and so had thrown away their votes. By Administrator 01 on Deireadh an tSamhraidh 23, 2020.

“Tom Mitchell won the election in Mid Ulster in 1955 from his prison cell. Thomas Mitchell, who has died aged 88, was an IRA man from Dublin who was twice elected to the Commons while serving 10 years for his part in … Dublin: Penguin Ireland. [13] [14], Running under the Independent Republican banner, Mitchell unsuccessfully attempted to retake the seat at the three subsequent general elections in 1959, 1964 and 1966.

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Mr Mitchell again contested the seat, but failed to be elected. A new by-election had to be held in the constituency, and Mitchell was again chosen as the Sinn Féin candidate. "He challenged this disenfranchisement of the people and continued to fight injustice for the rest of his life. [15], Mitchell died on 22 July 2020, shortly before his 89th birthday. “Tom Mitchell won the election in Mid Ulster in 1955 from his prison cell. In 2005, Mr Mitchell spoke about his memories of the raid on Omagh Barracks at an event marking the Centenary Year of Sinn Fein.

Tom was a a faithful Irish Republican. He and a fellow-prisoner, Phil Clarke, became the first Sinn Féin MPs elected in the north to Westminster since 1918. Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has paid tribute to former Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster, Tom Mitchell who died yesterday.

Mitchell was born in Dublin on 29 July 1931, and was working there as a bricklayer in 1954.

While in jail he was twice elected as a Member of the United Kingdom Parliament, but was disqualified and his elections overturned. In August 1955 however he was re-elected with a larger majority. Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy has paid tribute to former Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster, Tom Mitchell who died yesterday. He took part in an unsuccessful IRA raid on a British Army barracks in Omagh, County Tyrone in October 1954,[2] and as a result received a sentence of 10 years imprisonment for treason felony.[3]. “I offer my thoughts and prayers to his family at this tragic time.”, We use cookies to give the best experience on our site. The 1955 elections were historic for Sinn Féin as it was the first time that the party had contested all constituencies in Northern Ireland since the formation of the state in 1921.

The 1955 elections were historic for Sinn Féin as it was the first time that the party had contested all constituencies in Northern Ireland since 1921, and the first time since 1918 that any Sinn Féin candidates had been elected for Northern Ireland constituencies in the British House of Commons. SINN Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill last night paid tribute to veteran republican Tom Mitchell who died in his native Dublin at the age of 88.

The Forfeiture Act 1870 provided that anyone convicted of treason or felony and sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding 12 months was incapable of being elected to or sitting in the House of Commons. He was later disqualified from holding the seat because of legislation which said no prisoner serving a sentence of over 12 months could be elected as an MP. R.I.P.

“He was on the first civil rights march from Coalisland to Dungannon and retained a close bond with Mid Ulster and its people. While serving his sentence in Crumlin Road prison, Mitchell was nominated as a Sinn Féin candidate on an abstentionist platform for the Mid-Ulster constituency in the May 1955 UK general election.

The Lost Revolution: The Story of the Official IRA and the Workers' Party.

General election. [citation needed], In 2006, Mitchell delivered an oration at the funeral of veteran IRA member, Frank Morris.

[16][17], Hanley, Brian, and Millar, Scott (2009). Picture by Kelvin Boyes, John Dallat: Humble champion of the poor and underprivileged, Peter Robinson calls for sustainable Covid plan and an end to 'hokey-cokey' lockdowns, Covid-linked deaths pass 1,000 in Northern Ireland, Thousands participate in virtual Dublin marathon, Man shot in leg in paramilitary-style attack in west Belfast, Marie Louise McConville: Enjoying the fun and benefits of educational toys for Christmas 2020, Radio review: Lively discussion on the nature of puppy love, Easyjet suspends November flights between Belfast International and five GB airports, Hovis business sold to UK private equity firm Endless, Noise Annoys: Sound of Belfast 2020, new music from Arborist and Sister Ghost's ghoulishly good Halloween-themed charity compilation, Sean Connery's oddest flick Zardoz is a flawed but fun slice of 1970s cinematic madness, Patrick Murphy: Time to recognise Britain's wars for what they were on this remembrance weekend, Newton Emerson: US election doesn't mean much for us - a Brexit sea border is still being prepared, Danny Hughes: Tyrone and Mickey Harte are at a crossroads. Mr Mitchell was twice elected as MP for the old Mid-Ulster constituency, the first time in 1955. He was active in the Irish Republican Army and took part in a raid on Omagh barracks in 1954, being captured and imprisoned. Parker's Election Agent and Returning Officer, Sixth Edition ed. "The British government tried to strip him and the republican voters of Mid Ulster of his seat and forced a by-election, which he also won with an increased majority. Ms O'Neill said: "Tom was elected as a Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster while a political prisoner in May 1955, making history as the first Sinn Féin MP elected in the north since 1918. [11] On this occasion Mitchell was also opposed by the former MP for the seat, Michael O'Neill who was sponsored by the Irish Anti-Partition League. Free article. The Mid Ulster MP said: “I was saddened to hear of the death of Tom Mitchell, the former Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster.