Robert Overend

Robert Overend is a farmer and former Unionist politician in Northern Ireland.

Overend was a prominent member of the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party and the Orange Order in the mid-1970s. In 1975, he proposed that the Order formed a new, united unionist party, but this was rejected.[1] He was elected for Vanguard to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention from Mid Ulster,[2] In 1976, an unsuccessful attempt was made on his life by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA).[3]

Overend joined the United Ulster Unionist Party (UUUP) on its formation, and was elected to Magherafelt District Council for the new party at the 1977 local elections, holding his seat in 1981 local elections [[4]

Overend stood for the UUUP again at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1982, but was not successful.[2] In the run-up to the election, his son, also named Robert, was seriously injured by an INLA bomb.[5] During the 1990s, he served as Deputy Grand Master of the Orange Order.[6]

Outside politics, he works as a pig farmer and is chair of the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum.[7] His daughter-in-law, Sandra Overend, is an Ulster Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

References

  1. ↑ Henry Patterson and Eric P. Kaufmann, Unionism and Orangeism in Northern Ireland Since 1945, p. 204
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mid Ulster 1973-82, Northern Ireland Elections
  3. ↑ Yonah Alexander and Alan O'Day, Ireland's Terrorist Dilemma, p. 102
  4. ↑ The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Magherafelt, Northern Ireland Elections
  5. ↑ Fortnight, Issues 173-189, p. 18
  6. ↑ "Ulster Marches Pass Off Peacefully", BBC Politics 97
  7. ↑ Deerpark Pedigree Pigs