Latest news with #MidandEastAntrimCouncil
Powys County Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Former Mid and East Antrim chief faces prosecution over alleged deleted emails
The former head of Mid and East Antrim Council is facing prosecution in a probe into the alleged deletion of emails. Anne Donaghy has 'denied any wrongdoing during her time in office'. A solicitor of Ms Donaghy added she will 'vehemently contest these three technical offences'. Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) on Friday confirmed that it has taken a decision to prosecute two people following a police probe into the alleged deletion of emails related to a freedom of information (FOI) request at the council in 2021. It comes after a BBC Spotlight programme reported police searches of the council offices in October 2021 and April 2022 were connected to an alleged attempt to delete correspondence around a decision to withdraw council staff involved in post-Brexit trade agreement checks at Larne Port. During a time of political tension over the introduction of an 'Irish Sea border', a number of staff were temporarily removed from the posts for their safety following alleged threats from loyalist paramilitaries. Department of Agriculture staff were also withdrawn from the port on February 1 2021 amid security concerns. However police later said they were not aware of any credible threats. A PPS spokesperson said one individual is being prosecuted for three offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and a second individual is being prosecuted for one offence under the same Act. 'The charges relate to offences allegedly committed in April 2021 and June 2021,' they said. In total four individuals were reported on a police investigation file submitted to the PPS for consideration. The PPS said a senior prosecutor carefully considered all the available evidence and applied the test for prosecution before taking decisions in relation to the four reported individuals. 'It has been determined that the available evidence in relation to the other two reported individuals is insufficient in order to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction and therefore the test for prosecution is not met in relation to them,' they said. Solicitor Kevin Winters said Ms Donaghy has an outstanding High Court legal action against the council alleging discrimination. 'Today we received notification that she will be prosecuted on three counts of allegedly concealing records, aiding and abetting another person to erase or conceal a record and attempting to erase or conceal a record contrary to FOIA and other legislation,' he said. 'Our client denies any wrongdoing during her time in office and will vehemently contest these three technical offences. 'Central to her defence will be very strong allegations of investigative bias over the manner in which this inquiry has been conducted. 'Those same allegations have been the subject of a long-running complaint to PONI, the out workings of which will feature in any trial, if one is ever directed.' He added: 'Anne Donaghy has an impeccable record and service working for the council. 'She wants to put on record her sincere thanks for the all the support she has received from former colleagues in council and beyond in the wider community. 'Our client takes a lot of strength from this and knows it will serve her well going forward when confronting what are essentially contrived politically motivated allegations.'
Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Council vehicles still fuelled by used cooking oil from takeaways despite test equipment theft
A council has agreed to continue with a trial that sees used cooking oil fuel its vehicles after equipment was stolen during a break-in. The burglary at a Mid and East Antrim Council depot resulted in the theft of testing equipment containing trial data. However, councillors have agreed to continue with their trial of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in a further three vehicles. To date, 11,800 litres of HVO fuel have been used in the trial involving six council vehicles during the initial testing phase. This started last October but was halted temporarily following the break-in. The report states that emissions from council vehicles contribute to a quarter of the local authority's carbon footprint. By fully adopting HVO as an alternative fuel, it is anticipated the council could reduce the amount of carbon its fleet produces by up to 90%. The HVO is produced from used cooking oil collected from fast food outlets. It can be fully blended with diesel and requires no modifications to diesel engines. It has been estimated the council's vehicle emissions could be reduced overall from 1,733 tonnes annually to 132 tonnes. However, the council's annual fleet fuel bill could rise from £790,000 to around £898,000. Speaking at the meeting, DUP councillor Peter Johnston said: 'For us as a council, value for money is a big consideration. It is positive to note that the cost of fuel is coming down.' Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs said it was 'right that we should continue with the trial'. Alliance's Aaron Skinner said: 'Trials like this are what we have to be doing. It is good to see this coming forward. In terms of energy security, it is good to see.' Shaun Morley, the council's operations director, stated: 'Technology has moved on quite a bit. Engines are much more resilient.' Mid and East Antrim Borough Council owns 260 vehicles worth £3.2m, councillors have been told. A previous report said the fleet consists of bin lorries, vans, heavy goods vehicles, trailers, tractors, quads and excavators. With the exception of four small electric vans, the fleet is diesel-powered.
