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Trial of Jeffrey Donaldson A British court finds former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson guilty of all 18 charges, including one count of rape , in relation to two victims who were chi
Confirmed
His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, who faced five charges including four related to aiding and abetting, found to have done the acts She cannot be found guilty as she is facing a trial of the facts after being declared unfit for a conventional trial - she did not participate in proceedings The victims, known as Complainant A and Complainant B to protect their anonymity, both gave evidence at the trial To recap, here's everything that happened today as Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of child sex abuse charges.
Standing in the dock with his hands clasped, Donaldson, 63, showed no visible emotion and stared straight ahead as he was found guilty of each charge. Joanne Barnes CEO of Nexus NI said the guilty verdict marks an important step towards justice and accountability for the victims.
“Jeffrey Donaldson must now feel the full force of the law,” Robinson said in a statement. The jury found that Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, had aided and abetted her husband’s offending.
A spokesperson for NSPCC Northern Ireland said Donaldson held a position of trust in the community, but he grossly betrayed this by repeatedly sexually abusing two girls, while his wife Eleanor was aware but failed to act.
Walsh said both victims kept memories “locked away inside” until reaching “turning points” in adulthood that prompted the “huge, huge” decision to report the offences to police in 2024. Complainant B said she was raped when she was of primary school age and was of secondary school age when Donaldson lifted up her top and fondled her breasts.
Donaldson said those apologies referred to other matters, not abuse, which he said never happened and was made up by the complainants. The prosecutor said Eleanor Donaldson knew of the risk her husband posed but instead of intervening she “facilitated” the abuse.
She said "many of us feel fundamentally betrayed", adding that "today is the day for the victims". The abuse detailed during the trial was “filthy and vile”, Robinson said.
Donaldson also used a light to look at her genitals, she said. "Delay causes harm not just to the victims' mental health - it impacts on every part of their lives," she said.
What's confirmed
- His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, who faced five charges including four related to aiding and abetting, found to have done the acts She cannot be found guilty as she is facing a trial of the facts after being…
- Standing in the dock with his hands clasped, Donaldson, 63, showed no visible emotion and stared straight ahead as he was found guilty of each charge.
- The jury found that Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor, had aided and abetted her husband’s offending.
What's still developing
- "Delay causes harm not just to the victims' mental health - it impacts on every part of their lives," she said.
- She said "many of us feel fundamentally betrayed", adding that "today is the day for the victims".
- Joanne Barnes CEO of Nexus NI said the guilty verdict marks an important step towards justice and accountability for the victims.
- A spokesperson for NSPCC Northern Ireland said Donaldson held a position of trust in the community, but he grossly betrayed this by repeatedly sexually abusing two girls, while his wife Eleanor was aware but failed…
- “Jeffrey Donaldson must now feel the full force of the law,” Robinson said in a statement.
- The abuse detailed during the trial was “filthy and vile”, Robinson said.
- Complainant B said she was raped when she was of primary school age and was of secondary school age when Donaldson lifted up her top and fondled her breasts.
- Donaldson also used a light to look at her genitals, she said.