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David Allen MBE[1] (24 October 1937 – 13 December 2011)[2] was a Northern Irish teacher, trade unionist and politician.
David Allen | |
|---|---|
| Member of Ballymena Borough Council | |
| In office 30 May 1973 – 20 May 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Council established |
| Succeeded by | William Brownlees |
| Constituency | Ballymena Area C |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention for North Antrim | |
| In office 1975–1976 | |
| Preceded by | Convention established |
| Succeeded by | Convention abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 October 1937 Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 13 December 2011 |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Independent Unionist (from 1977) Ulster Vanguard (before 1977) |
| Occupation | Teacher
Trade Unionist Politician |
A member of the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party, he represented the group in the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention.[3] He was elected to Ballymena Borough Council in 1973, topping the poll in the C District Electoral Area. He retained the seat in 1977, albeit as a "Ratepayers" candidate, having left the Vanguard in the interim.[4]
In November 1976 Allen proposed a motion banning Ballymena's local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) from using council facilities; the motion passed unanimously. Allen described the GAA as "bigoted, sectarian" with an "antiquated" ruleset.[5] In a television interview about the motion, Allen suggested he would be justified in calling for the GAA to be outlawed and made illegal in Northern Ireland.[6]
Allen was a pupil of Ballymena Academy.[7] A teacher by profession, he trained at Queen's University Belfast and Stranmillis College before teaching at primary level in his native Ballymena, initially at Harryville PS before moving to Ballykeel PS.[1] Known to his pupils as "Duck", he was deputy headmaster at the latter school.[7] Allen was active in the Ulster Teachers' Union and became general secretary of the body in 1978, holding the position for twenty years.[1] A prominent media figure during his time in charge, Allen's work earned him the nickname "children's champion".[1]
Allen was married twice and had one daughter.[1] Following his retirement he settled in Banbridge, while also keeping a house in Cornwall.[1] He suffered a stroke in 2011 and died soon after, aged 74. He was buried in Banbridge following a service at the town's Bannside Presbyterian Church.[1]
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