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

  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 byJoe Gaston Mayor of Ballymoney 1988–89 Succeeded byJoe Gaston Preceded byJoe Gaston Mayor of Ballymoney 1994–95 Succeeded byJoe Gaston Preceded byFrank Campbell Mayor of Ballymoney 2004–05 Succeeded byJohn Finlay
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