Full Breakdown
Former Mid and East Antrim Council Chief Executive Convicted Over FOI Email Deletion
8/27/2026, 1:01:19 AM
Conviction Details
Anne Donaghy, former chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Council, was found guilty of two offences under the Freedom of Information Act for deleting an email she sent to the private address of then-first minister Arlene Foster. The court imposed a £750 fine for each count, totalling £1,500. Co-accused former director of corporate services Aaron McClelland was cleared of the single charge he faced. Neither defendant gave evidence during the two-day trial at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court.
Background and Context
In early 2021 Donaghy drafted a letter to the UK Cabinet Office about post-Brexit border checks at Larne Port and alleged threats to council staff linked to the Northern Ireland Protocol. She forwarded the letter to nine DUP representatives on February 1-2. A Freedom of Information request on February 8 asked for copies of that correspondence; the council refused on health- and-safety grounds, and later requests in April and May were also denied.
Timeline of Key Events
- February 1–2, 2021 – Letter forwarded to nine DUP politicians.
- February 8, 2021 – Journalist’s FOI request received.
- April 2021 – Donaghy appears before the Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee; Alliance MLA John Blair questions her selective consultation.
- June 27, 2024 (scheduled) – Senior officers meet at Donaghy’s home ahead of an internal council investigation (reported during the trial).
- Recent weeks – Two-day trial concludes with Donaghy’s conviction and McClelland’s acquittal.
Data and Statistics
- Fines: £750 per offence (total £1,500).
- Emails forwarded: nine DUP representatives.
- Charges: Donaghy convicted on two counts (deleting an email and procuring its deletion); cleared of a third charge concerning a separate email.
Official Statements and Responses
- Donaghy’s legal team (KRW Law) said she maintains her innocence and will contest the findings, noting the case was not brought by the Public Prosecution Service.
- Judge Alana McSorley found Donaghy intended to prevent disclosure, citing an audio recording in which she responded “Oh no” when told a hard copy existed.
- Prosecution barrister highlighted Donaghy’s selective DUP outreach.
- Defence counsel (Michael Chambers KC) argued the deletion was to protect Foster’s personal address, not to favour the DUP, and pointed to hard copies kept in a locked cabinet.
Criticism and Opposition
- Alliance MLA John Blair questioned the selective outreach to DUP politicians.
- Prosecution representatives said Donaghy faced “mounting political pressure” and feared being seen as “the DUP’s person.”
- TUV delegate Timothy Gaston asked why the letter was sent only to DUP members.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
- Fine amount: The Independent reports £750 per offence (total £1,500); the BBC cites a single £1,500 fine.
- Evidence of intent: The prosecution relies on the audio recording and perceived political pressure; the defence stresses the lack of a live FOI request at the time of deletion and the existence of hard copies.
- Policy on email deletion: The court heard of a council policy allowing deletion of digital emails when printed copies are retained, but it is unclear whether it was formally applied here.
What’s Next
The judgment has been delivered, and Donaghy’s legal team indicated they will consider an appeal. No further hearings or deadlines are mentioned in the sources.