Oliver Gibson

Oliver Gibson (born 28 June 1934 in Beragh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, died 27 April 2018 in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland) was a founding member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and served as a DUP councillor for West Tyrone.[1] He also served as an MLA for West Tyrone in the first session of the Assembly.

For the American football player, see Oliver Gibson (American football).

Oliver Gibson
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for West Tyrone
In office
25 June 1998 – 26 November 2003
Preceded byNew Creation
Succeeded byThomas Buchanan
Personal details
Born(1934-06-28)28 June 1934
Beragh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Died27 April 2018(2018-04-27) (aged 83)
Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Political partyDemocratic Unionist Party
Alma materQueen's University Belfast
Other organizationsOrange Order
Apprentice Boys of Derry

Gibson had been a teacher and vice-principal in Omagh High School as well as a Lieutenant in the Ulster Defence Regiment. In December 1974 it was reported that Lieutenant Gibson and a Corporal had been charged with the assault of two men in Omagh causing them actual bodily harm.[2]

In October 1983 Gibson announced the creation of a co-operative with a £1 million fund to promote Protestant businesses in the Mid-Tyrone area. A leaflet giving details of the venture stated that shareholder membership "shall be solely Protestant". The Omagh Alliance Party association criticised the proposal, saying it was "ludicrous" that the primary aim of a business co-operative was to "stop the enroachment of the Church of Rome`".[3]

In 1990 it was reported that Gibson had been "kicked out" of the Apprentice Boys of Derry because of his opposition to their application to the International Fund for Ireland for grant support. Gibson described the application as seeking "blood money".[4]

His niece, Esther Gibson, was one of the 29 victims killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing.[5]

In 1999, David Jordan, a former Ulster Defence Regiment soldier, broke down in a bar and claimed to be part of a patrol that killed a nationalist councillor, Patsy Kelly, in 1974. Jordan reportedly implicated Gibson in the murder. Jordan was never formally questioned in relation to the matter and no charges were ever brought against Gibson.[6][7][8]

In 2003, it emerged that Gibson was having an affair with his 35-year-old secretary Audrey McKenzie and was living with her in Ballybogy, County Antrim. His wife confirmed that he had left her and was no longer living in their Sixmilecross home.[9] He retired as a councillor in Omagh District Council shortly afterwards.[10]

References
  1. Press Releases - Chairman says farewell Archived 25 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Omagh District Council website
  2. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002318/19741202/120/0009
  3. Belfast News Letter, 4 November 1983.
  4. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002341/19901007/059/0012
  5. The Omagh Bomb - List of Those Killed, cain.ulst.ac.uk; accessed 28 July 2016.
  6. Report Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, impartialreporter.com, 8 November 2001.
  7. "Former UDR man faces quiz on murder", Irish Independent, 30 July 2003.
  8. Judgement in the Matter of an Application by Teresa Kelly for Judicial Review to the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland; "Lost Justice: Who killed Patsy Kelly?" (broadcast on 27 November 2001, ITV); accessed 28 July 2016.
  9. McAdams, Noel (20 October 2003). "DUP man exposed in new affair storm". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
  10. Chairman says farewell Archived 25 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, omagh.gov.uk; accessed 28 July 2016.
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