Cecil Cousley

Cecil Cousley
Mayor of Ballymoney
In office
2004–2005
Preceded byFrank Campbell
Succeeded byJohn Finlay
In office
1994–1995
Preceded byJoe Gaston
Succeeded byJoe Gaston
In office
1988–1989
Preceded byJoe Gaston
Succeeded byJoe Gaston
Member of Ballymoney Borough Council
In office
15 May 1985 – 22 May 2014
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byCouncil abolished
ConstituencyBallymoney Town
In office
20 May 1981 – 15 May 1985
Preceded byBrendan Smyth
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyBallymoney Area C
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for North Antrim
In office
20 October 1982 – 1986
Personal details
BornFebruary 1932
Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Died12 October 2020
Political partyDemocratic Unionist

Cecil Cousley MBE (February 1932 – 12 October 2020[1]) was a Northern Irish unionist politician who served as Mayor of Ballymoney on three separate occasions, and was a Ballymoney Councillor from 1981 to 2014.

A member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Cousley was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim from 1982 until 1986.

Background

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

  1. ^ a b "Tributes paid to former Ballymoney Mayor Cecil Cousley MBE". Tyrone Courier. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  2. ^ Alderman Cecil Cousley Archived 18 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Ballymoney Borough Council
  3. ^ Your local DUP Council Representative: Cecil Cousley, Democratic Unionist Party
  4. ^ The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Ballymoney
  5. ^ North Antrim 1973–1982
  6. ^ Ballymoney Borough Council Elections 1993–2005
  7. ^ "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 Mayor of Ballymoney
1988–89 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Ballymoney
1994–95 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Frank Campbell
 Mayor of Ballymoney
2004–05 		Succeeded by
John Finlay