Ex-council chief sought to delete emails due to perception she was ‘the DUP’s person’, court told
A former Northern Ireland council chief executive is on trial for allegedly deleting emails to avoid Freedom of Information disclosure. The charges relate to correspondence regarding concerns over the Northern Ireland Protocol and staff safety at Larne Port.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of political transparency, administrative accountability, and the legal obligations of public officials regarding record-keeping.
A former local authority chief executive has appeared in court charged over the alleged deletion of emails to prevent their disclosure in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Anne Donaghy (56), of Clonmore Road, Dungannon, has been charged with deleting an email and having attempted to delete an email to prevent the disclosure of information via the Freedom of Information Act, as well as procuring the deletion of an email, during her time at Mid and East Antrim Council.
Aaron McClelland (49), of Clonmakate Road, Portadown, has been charged with one count of having attempted to delete an email.
Both accused appeared before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday for the trial, which is expected to run across two days under District Judge Alana McSorley.
Speaking before the trial, a solicitor for Donaghy said she would “vehemently contest these three technical offences”.
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