David Hilditch

David Hilditch
Hilditch in 2015
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Antrim East
In office
25 June 1998 – 8 September 2023
Preceded byNew creation
Succeeded byCheryl Brownlee
Member of Carrickfergus Borough Council
In office
1991–2013
Preceded byAndrew Blair
Succeeded byFred Cobain
ConstituencyCarrick Castle
Personal details
Born(1963-07-23)23 July 1963
Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
Died5 November 2023(2023-11-05) (aged 60)
NationalityBritish
Political partyDemocratic Unionist Party
WebsiteHilditich DUP

David Hilditch (23 July 1963 – 5 November 2023) was a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician who was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Antrim from 1998[1] to 2023.[2]

Biography

David Hilditch was born in Carrickfergus on 23 July 1963.[3] He previously worked in the construction industry and for Royal Mail between 1987 and 1998. In February 1997 he was awarded the RUC Bravery Award following a post office robbery. He was first elected to Carrickfergus Borough Council in 1991. He was elected as deputy mayor in 1995 and elected to mayor in 1997 and also served as mayor from 2004 to 2008. [citation needed]

Hilditch was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for East Antrim in 1998 and again in both 2003 and 2007. He was one of the top questioners in the 1998–2003 Assembly, serving on the Employment and Learning Committee and Culture Arts and Leisure Committee. He was the vice-chair of the Social Development Committee, and was a member of the Standards and Privileges Committee and the Employment and Learning Committee. He was also secretary of Carrick Rangers Football club.[citation needed] At the 2017 Assembly election, he was re-elected on the first count. At the 2022 Assembly election, he was elected on the fifth count.[4]

Hilditch was a member of the Apprentice Boys.[5] His son, Stuart, died on 10 September 2019 after a three-year battle with multiple myeloma.[6]

He resigned from the Assembly in September 2023, due to ill health.[2]

Hilditch died from cancer on 5 November 2023, at the age of 60.[3]

References

  1. ^ Breen, Suzanne; Halliday, Gillian (20 August 2021). "Stormont's gang of seven: MLAs elected to the first Assembly in 1998 who have stayed the course". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b "David Hilditch: DUP assembly member retires on health grounds". BBC News. 8 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Sir Jeffrey pays tribute to David Hilditch". DUP. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  4. ^ Corr, Shauna (6 May 2022). "NI Election 2022: East Antrim constituency results". BelfastLive. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  5. ^ "12 year old among seven people arrested after parade". BBC News. 12 April 2012.
  6. ^ Bain, Mark (11 September 2019). "Son of MLA Hilditch dies after long battle with cancer". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
Civic offices
Preceded by
S. Y. McCamley
 Mayor of Carrickfergus
1997–1998 		Succeeded by
Janet Crampsey
Preceded by
May Beattie
 Mayor of Carrickfergus
2004–2008 		Succeeded by
Patricia McKinney
Northern Ireland Assembly
New assembly MLA for Antrim East
1998–2023 		Vacant