Joe Gaston
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Joe Gaston (born 1926 or 1927) is a Unionist politician in Northern Ireland].
Gaston worked as a farmer and served part-time in the Ulster Defence Regiment.[1] In 1973, he was elected to Ballymoney Borough Council as a non-party candidate. He was re-elected in 1977, for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).[2]
In December 1977, Gaston's right leg was removed by a bomb planted in his tractor, which he believes was planted by the Irish Republican Army.[1]
Gaston was elected at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1982 in North Antrim.[3] In 1985, he served as Deputy Mayor of Ballymoney, then as Mayor from 1986 - 87 and 1990 - 93.
At the 1992 UK general election, Gaston contested Ian Paisley's North Antrim seat, taking second place with 18.1% of the votes cast.[4] In 1996, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum, again in North Antrim,[5] and served his final term as Mayor of Ballymoney.
Gaston lost his council seat in 2005.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Suzanne Breen, "The forgotten victims of the Troubles", Sunday Tribune, May 2006
- ^ The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Ballymoney, Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ North Antrim 1973-1982, Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ North Antrim, 1983-1992, Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ North Antrim, Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ Ballymoney Borough Council Elections 1993-2005, Northern Ireland Elections
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles Steele |
Mayor of Ballymoney 1986 - 87 |
Succeeded by Cecil Cousley |
| Preceded by Cecil Cousley |
Mayor of Ballymoney 1990 - 93 |
Succeeded by Cecil Cousley |
| Preceded by Cecil Cousley |
Mayor of Ballymoney 1996 |
Succeeded by Frank Campbell |
