Cathal Mallaghan is the Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster, having first been elected to parliament at the 2024 general election.

In the 2024 general election, Mallaghan won 24,085 votes, representing 53.0% of the vote. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) candidate, Keith Buchanan, received 9,162 votes (20.2%), while the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) candidate, Denise Johnston, secured 3,722 votes (8.2%). Mallaghan was duly elected with a majority of 14,923 votes.

The Mid Ulster constituency is located in Northern Ireland and is considered a safe Sinn Féin seat. It was previously represented by Martin McGuinness from 1997 to 2013.

Political Career

In line with Sinn Féin’s longstanding policy of abstentionism, Mallaghan does not take his seat in the House of Commons. Sinn Féin MPs focus on constituency work and activity within Ireland.

In the foreword to Sinn Féin’s manifesto for the 2024 general election, the party’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said Sinn Féin MPs would work “hard as part of a strong all-Ireland Sinn Féin team to deliver for all our people and communities.”

The manifesto added: “We want a stronger and fairer economy that delivers good jobs that pay well, offers workers secure conditions, and supports local business.”

Mallaghan previously served as a Sinn Féin councillor. He was elected to Cookstown District Council in 2011 and Mid Ulster District Council in 2014. He left both positions in 2024.

Political Views

Mallaghan represents Sinn Féin, an Irish republican and democratic socialist party. The party’s core policies include advocating for a united Ireland and promoting left-wing economic and social policies.

Sinn Féin’s abstentionist policy is derived from its belief that the parliament at Westminster is illegitimate, and that its authority over Ireland rests on British sovereignty which the party does not recognise. Consequently, Sinn Féin MPs refuse to take their seats in the House of Commons, as doing so would require swearing an oath of allegiance to the British monarch, which the party regards as incompatible with its republican principles.

Before Politics

Mallaghan was born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in December 1982.

Personal Life

Mallaghan is married to Louise.

Trivia

Mallaghan’s Mid Ulster seat has been held by Sinn Féin continuously since 1997.