Elections to the United Kingdom Parliament held in Northern Ireland
General Election of Thursday 8 October 1959

Background Boundaries

Changes since 1955

The two Sinn Fein candidates elected in 1955 had both been imprisoned for their part in a raid on Omagh, and were therefore ineligible for election to the House of Commons. In Fermanagh & Tyrone South the losing Unionist candidate was declared elected on 25 October 1955, but in Ulster Mid a new writ was issued for a by election that was held on 11 August 1955.

Following the Ulster Mid by election, Mitchell was again disqualified on petition to the Northern Ireland High Court due to his imprisonment and on 7 October 1955 Beattie was declared elected in his place, although he didn't take his seat. On further petition to a House of Commons Select Committee, it was ruled on 7 February 1956 that Beattie was disqualifed for holding "offices of profit under the Crown" (membership of national insurance and national assistance tribunals), and a second writ was issued for a by election on 8 May 1956.

Constituencies