The trial centers on former Mid and East Antrim Council chief Anne Donaghy and another official, Aaron McClelland, over alleged email deletions tied to FOI requests and NI Protocol sensitivities.

Evidence includes an audio recording in which Donaghy reacts to discovering a hard copy of the email exists, suggesting intent to prevent disclosure.

Judge Alana McSorley is set to deliver judgment with potential penalties for Donaghy, including a fine of up to £5,000 if found guilty.

FOI requests in February, and in April and May, sought copies of letters sent to the Cabinet Office; the council cited health and safety and security reasons to withhold disclosure.

The requests from a journalist and subsequent scrutiny prompted the council to refuse disclosure on health and safety grounds.

A timeline shows FOI-related letters sent on February 1–2 to multiple DUP figures, with further FOI activity in February, April, and June discussions about the letter’s reception.

The sought letter appears to have been leaked to a political representative from the Alliance Party, amid FOI requests for access to emails.

Multiple FOI requests targeted the letter, which was reportedly leaked to an Alliance Party representative.

Witnesses, including Donaghy’s assistants and a policy manager, described meetings and concerns about potential leaks.

The trial examines handling of information related to the Northern Ireland Protocol and FOI amid Brexit-era political sensitivities.

Donaghy appeared before Stormont committee during investigations, questioned about seeking DUP views but not those of other parties.

Key witnesses, including two former personal assistants, testified about deletion attempts and the handling of hard copies; McClelland stated he kept hard copies in a locked cabinet.