Cecil Cousley
Cecil Cousley MBE (February 1932 – 12 October 2020[1]) was a politician in Northern Ireland.
Cousley was a farmer[2] living near Ballymoney, and an elder at Drumreagh Presbyterian Church.[3]
Cousley was elected to Ballymoney Borough Council in 1981 for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).[4] He was also elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1982 in North Antrim.[5] He held his council seat at each election until he retired in 2015, regularly placing top in the poll.[6][1] He served as Mayor of Ballymoney in 1988 – 89, 94 – 95 and 2004 – 05, and as Deputy Mayor in 1991 – 92, 2002–03 and 2006 – 07.
In 2007, several sheep were killed on his land, leading to speculation that the Beast of Ballybogey, a phantom cat, was active; the Police Service of Northern Ireland discounted this theory.[7]
References
- "Tributes paid to former Ballymoney Mayor Cecil Cousley MBE". Tyrone Courier. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- Alderman Cecil Cousley Archived 18 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Ballymoney Borough Council
- Your local DUP Council Representative: Cecil Cousley, Democratic Unionist Party
- The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Ballymoney
- North Antrim 1973–1982
- Ballymoney Borough Council Elections 1993–2005
- "Big Cat Not to Blame: Police Archived 23 December 2012 at Archive.today", Ballymoney Times, 7 December 2007
| Northern Ireland Assembly (1982) | ||
|---|---|---|
| New assembly | MPA for North Antrim 1982–1986 |
Assembly abolished |
| Civic offices | ||
| Preceded by Joe Gaston |
Mayor of Ballymoney 1988–89 |
Succeeded by Joe Gaston |
| Preceded by Joe Gaston |
Mayor of Ballymoney 1994–95 |
Succeeded by Joe Gaston |
| Preceded by Frank Campbell |
Mayor of Ballymoney 2004–05 |
Succeeded by John Finlay |