title: Cecil Cousley
text: # Cecil Cousley
  
  Cecil Cousley MBE (February 1932 – 12 October 2020) was a politician in Northern Ireland.
  
  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.
  
  