Woman admits breaching anonymity of Jeffrey Donaldson victim

By Claudia Savage, Press Association

A woman has admitted an offence of breaching a lifetime ban on publishing information likely to lead to the identification of a victim of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

55-year-old Donna Toman from the Lord Moira Park area of Ballynahinch appeared before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Ex-MP Donaldson was convicted in June of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.

The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008.

The two victims at the centre of the Donaldson trial were referred to as Complainant A and Complainant B and both are entitled to lifelong anonymity.

No details of the offence by Toman, which was committed on June 26, were revealed to the court.

She faced a charge of publishing a matter on social media which was likely to lead members of the public to identify a victim.

District Judge Peter Magill asked if Toman had “breached a lifetime ban on identifying a victim” and it was confirmed that she was pleading guilty.

Toman, who was for many years a popular Dolly Parton impersonator, was present in court wearing a beige top and trousers.

The judge said it is a “serious offence” and asked for a pre-sentence report to be completed by October 12.

The current maximum penalty for breaching a victim’s lifetime anonymity is up to six months’ imprisonment, the court was told.

Addressing Toman, the judge said: “I am not making any promises, we will see what the report says.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.