April 1981 Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election

The by-election held in Fermanagh and South Tyrone on 9 April 1981 is considered by many to be the most significant by-election held in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. It saw the first electoral victory for militant Irish republicanism, which the following year entered electoral politics in full force as Sinn Féin. The successful candidate was the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, who died twenty-six days later.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election

9 April 1981

Fermanagh and South Tyrone parliamentary seat
  First party Second party
 
UUP
Candidate Bobby Sands Harry West
Party Anti H-Block Ulster Unionist
Popular vote 30,492 29,046
Percentage 51.2% 48.8%

MP before election

Frank Maguire
Independent Republican

Subsequent MP

Bobby Sands
Anti H-Block

The by-election was caused by the death of the sitting MP, Frank Maguire.

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