Joe Gaston

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.Suzanne Breen, " [http://saoirse32.blogsome.com/2006/05/31/the-forgotten-victims-of-the-troubles/ The forgotten victims of the Troubles] ", "Sunday Tribune", May 2006] 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). [ [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgballymoney.htm The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Ballymoney] , Northern Ireland Elections]

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.

Gaston was elected at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1982 in North Antrim. [ [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/cna.htm North Antrim 1973-1982] , Northern Ireland Elections] 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. [ [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/bna.htm North Antrim, 1983-1992] , Northern Ireland Elections] In 1996, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum, again in North Antrim, [ [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/ana.htm North Antrim] , Northern Ireland Elections] and served his final term as Mayor of Ballymoney.

Gaston lost his council seat in 2005. [ [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/lgballymoney.htm Ballymoney Borough Council Elections 1993-2005] , Northern Ireland Elections]

References