Belfast City Council
- Date 10 November 2025
- Sector Local government
- Decision(s) FOI 31(1)(a): Partly upheld, FOI 31(1)(b): Upheld, FOI 31(1)(c): Upheld
The complainant requested information relating to damage to a portrait in Belfast City Hall. Belfast City Council (the Council) provided some information falling within the scope of the request, but refused to disclose the remainder under sections 31(1)(a) (prevention or detection of crime), 31(1)(b) (the apprehension or prosecution of offenders) and 31(1)(c) (the administration of justice) of FOIA.
The Commissioner’s decision is that some information was correctly withheld under section 31(1)(a) and that the public interest favours non-disclosure.
The remainder of the withheld information did not engage sections 31(1)(a), (b), or (c) so the Council were not correct to withhold this information.
The Commissioner requires the Council to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation - Disclose the information described at paragraph 32 of this decision notice with the appropriate redactions carried out.