Cecil Cousley

Cecil Cousley MBE (February 1932 – 12 October 2020 ) 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 living near Ballymoney, and an elder at Drumreagh Presbyterian Church.

Cousley was elected to Ballymoney Borough Council in 1981 for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He was also elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1982 in North Antrim. He held his council seat at each election until he retired in 2015, regularly placing top in the poll. 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.