Former chief executive at council in Northern Ireland convicted of two charges connected to deletion of email

The council said it acknowledged the verdict and would “carefully consider the outcome and any implications arising from it”.

According to the BBC, the charges related to an email sent by Donaghy to the private email address of then-Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster.

District Judge Alana McSorley told the court that Donaghy had been under mounting political pressure at the time she told her PA to delete the email to Foster.

The BBC said the judge outlined the prosecution's case that there was a perception that Donaghy was too close to the DUP and that she was "keen to dilute that impression by deleting emails".

The judge said the "irrefutable conclusion" was that Donaghy had intended to prevent disclosure of information.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Donaghy was fined £1,500. However, she was cleared of a third charge of trying to have an email deleted.

Donaghy's solicitor at KRW Law, Kevin Winters, said she will challenge the finding of the court on the two convictions.

He said: "Our client maintains her position that she did nothing wrong and looks forward to proceeding with her appeal as quickly as possible."

A Mid and East Antrim Borough Council spokesperson said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is committed to the highest standards of governance, transparency and information management.

“We acknowledge yesterday's verdict and will carefully consider the outcome and any implications arising from it.”

Lottie Winson