New faces in Ballymoney and Moyle

In Ballymoney, the DUP’s Jason Atkinson, became the youngest party member to take a seat in the Bann Valley Ward. The 29-year-old will be joined by party colleagues, poll topper, John Finlay, and Robert Halliday. Retired painter and decorator, Willie Blair, created history by becoming the first TUV member to win a seat on the council, ousting veteran SDLP campaigner, Malachy McCamphill. Sinn Fein polled well in both Bann Valley and Bushvale and said they werre encouraged by the support received.

It was a bad day for the McCamphill family after son, Justin, saw the SDLP representation halved in the Glens where Independent candidate, Colum Thompson, topped the poll.

However, another family pairing, Paudie McShane and his sister, Cara, were celebrating after gaining seats in Moyle. Paudie could well become the next chairman of the council such is the strength of the Independents.

While the DUP dominated in Ballymoney, the province trend was not reflected in the Ballycastle ward in Moyle where Joan Baird had double the vote of her DUP rival, Christina McFaul and Sandra Hunter (UUP) topped the poll in the Causeway ward

At the time of going to press, the Bushvale ward was still ongoing and the Ballymoney town ward was still to get underway.

The DUP put their successes down to hard work and an endorsement of their policies.

More coverage on pages 4 and 24