After 10 years as an MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Sean Lynch has stepped away from frontline politics.

Elected in May, 2011, the ex-IRA volunteer turned Sinn Féin politician had his final engagement in Stormont on Wednesday.

Having been sent to prison for 25 years in 1986, Mr. Lynch was released 12 years later in 1998 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).

He said that the move from an armed struggle to a political one was something discussed during those days in Long Kesh, and when he was freed he became involved with Sinn Féin, first as a constituency manager and then as a MLA.

“When the ceasefire came and the GFA, I think it wasn’t hard, because what you were doing was carrying on the politics of what went before and trying to deliver on the GFA, and making sure somebody like myself, and many other colleagues, who had come through the conflict, that we were never going back to that again,” said Mr. Lynch.

“I remember coming out of prison in 1998 and being released under the GFA, and saying to myself, ‘This next part of my life is to build on the Peace Process, to build on the GFA, to ensure that we live in a peaceful and democratic society’.”

Getting involved in politics and driving a Sinn Féin mandate was the natural progression, according to Mr. Lynch.

And while both sides of the political divide had to accept some parts of the process that they did not like, it was all for the betterment of society in the North, such as policing.

Working as part of a five-party Executive was always going to be difficult, but Mr. Lynch enjoyed it.

One of his proudest ever moments was the creation of Bunscoil an Traonaigh – Fermanagh’s only Irish-speaking school.

It was a concept born in prison, and as he leaves his role as a MLA, the latest development was getting confirmation that the old Lisnaskea High School site was the preferred location for the school to relocate to.

An anti-fracking Bill also introduced by Mr. Lynch will continue through the Assembly, and will be carried on by his successor.

Looking to the future, Mr. Lynch says he will be glad to get away from the pressure of politics and the freedom it will bring, but he will remain a Sinn Féin activist.

“I will remain an active member of Sinn Féin. I will remain very much central to the next election to ensure Aine Murphy gets elected, and Sinn Féin is strengthened in any new mandate.”

He knows there is always a time to move on, and this is it for him, but he says he is encouraged by what is going on around Ireland and discussions being had around Unification.

“As I leave here this week, the debate on Irish Unification is not a secret – it’s being discussed and debated in studios, homes and businesses, and I think we are within touching distance of a Border poll.

“My belief is Partition was bad for the Border regions, particularly Fermanagh, and some of these major issues will not be resolved this side of Partition.”

Aine Murphy has been selected as Mr. Lynch’s replacement and is due to take up her role next week.

“Young people in politics”

The addition of another female MLA is a good step for the party, he says. “It sends a good message that the party has selected a 24-year-old woman and it demonstrates there is a place for young people in politics.”

Looking back from where the North has come from, and through the period of The Troubles, and asked if he has any regrets, Mr. Lynch added: “I don’t. I have had to live my life being involved in the Republican struggle for almost 50 years. It’s a road – some of it, I’d rather not have travelled, but that’s life. I do reflect on where we have come from. I go out on the football pitches and see all the young people, and I reflect on what Bobby Sands said, ‘Our revenge will be the laughter of our children’.

“I see it every day, and I see this country being a great country. Sadly, we had to go down the road we did go, but that’s what happened.”

However, while the past cannot be changed, Mr. Lynch knows that the future is still to be decided: “I have told Unionists we have more in common with each other than we do with people in West Cork.

“We live together, we have to share this island, and ensure everyone has rights in a new Ireland, which is coming.”