Woman jailed for three months for breaching anonymity of Donaldson victims

A 55‑year‑old woman from the Lord Moira Park area of Ballynahinch has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for breaching the lifetime anonymity of the victims of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

Donna Toman appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Monday, having previously pleaded guilty to publishing a social‑media video that could lead to the identification of the two victims, referred to in the trial as Complainant A and Complainant B. The judge, District Judge Peter Magill, stressed that victims of sexual offences must be protected and that any further exposure is not in the public interest.

Donaldson was convicted in June of 18 sex offences, including rape, committed between 1985 and 2008 against two women when they were children. The victims are entitled to lifelong anonymity.

Ms Toman’s solicitor argued the video did not name the victims and was edited within 90 minutes to remove references, stating there was no intention to cause distress. Nevertheless, Judge Magill noted the potential for additional distress and ordered immediate custody, the only appropriate sentence under the circumstances. The maximum term for the offence is six months.

Ms Toman, a former Dolly Parton impersonator who receives universal credit and tutors drama and music at a special‑needs school, was released on bail pending appeal.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Zachary Caraway / Pexels.