Prosecutor Details Case Against Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
Jeffrey Donaldson, a former Member of Parliament and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is accused of sexually assaulting a child and later apologising to her at a meeting arranged by a church, a court has been informed.
The alleged abuse was committed with the involvement of his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, according to a prosecutor’s statement at Newry crown court in County Down on Wednesday.
This information was presented on the second day of a trial regarded as one of the most high-profile in Northern Ireland’s recent history.
Jeffrey Donaldson, aged 63, faces 18 sexual offence charges, including one count of rape. These charges cover incidents between 1985 and 2008 and involve two alleged victims. His wife, 60 years old, is charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault. Both defendants deny all allegations.
During proceedings, Donaldson, dressed in a blue suit, was seated in the dock accompanied by two court officers and took notes while Rosemary Walsh, the prosecutor, presented the case against him.
Eleanor Donaldson was not present in court as she has been deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds. She is subject to a trial of the facts, which examines the evidence but cannot lead to a criminal conviction. The trials for the husband and wife will occur simultaneously with separate legal representation.
Walsh addressed a jury composed of five women and seven men, outlining the evidence to be introduced throughout the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately four weeks.
The evidence will include pre-recorded interviews with the two complainants, referred to as Witness A and Witness B. In March 2024, they reported to police
“about difficult and traumatic incidents they say happened when they were children”, as stated by Walsh. The complainants will be cross-examined by legal counsel but will not appear in court.
The jury will also review recorded interviews given by the Donaldsons following their arrest in March 2024.
Allegations from Witness B
Witness B alleges that before she was 11 years old, Donaldson frequently placed his hand inside her pants. She further claims that on one occasion he touched her chest, inserted his fingers inside her genitals, forced her feet apart, and sexually assaulted her, which left her
“feeling sick”.
She also stated that on another occasion Donaldson lifted her top and touched her breasts, during which Eleanor Donaldson entered the room briefly before leaving and closing the door.
In the mid-1990s, as a teenager, Witness B attended a Christian rehabilitation centre where she disclosed the alleged abuse to a woman. This disclosure led to a meeting facilitated by the church, during which Donaldson reportedly apologised for the past abuse. Witness B described the meeting as
“a bit weird and surreal”.
Following his arrest, Donaldson told police he had attended the meeting but asserted that no specific allegations were made to him and described the rape accusation as
“unbelievable”.
Allegations from Witness A
Witness A alleges that Donaldson touched her chest and kissed her inappropriately by inserting his tongue into her mouth. When confronted, he allegedly dismissed it as a joke and laughed. She also reported that he made comments about her appearance, including remarks about the size of her breasts.
Trial Proceedings and Background
The trial judge, Paul Ramsey, informed the jury on Tuesday that Donaldson is a well-known public figure and is entitled to a fair trial like any other individual. Donaldson was knighted in 2016 and resigned from his position as an MP and DUP leader in 2024 following his arrest.
