Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader and MP, sexually assaulted a child and later apologized to her at a church-brokered meeting, a court heard on Wednesday. The allegations were detailed on the second day of his trial at Newry Crown Court in County Down.
Charges and Allegations
Donaldson, 63, faces 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, spanning from 1985 to 2008, involving two alleged victims. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault. Both deny all charges. Eleanor Donaldson has been deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds and is not present; she faces a trial of the facts, which tests evidence without resulting in a criminal conviction. The two proceedings run simultaneously with separate legal teams.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutor Rosemary Walsh outlined the state’s case to a jury of five women and seven men. Evidence includes pre-recorded interviews with the complainants, known as Witness A and Witness B, who reported the alleged abuse to police in March 2024. Walsh stated that the women described “difficult and traumatic incidents” from their childhood. They will be cross-examined by barristers but will not appear in court. Recorded police interviews with the Donaldsons after their arrest will also be presented.
Witness B’s Testimony
Witness B alleged that before age 11, Donaldson repeatedly put his hand in her pants, touched her chest, inserted his fingers inside her genitals, and sexually assaulted her, leaving her “feeling sick.” On another occasion, he allegedly pulled up her top and felt her breasts, while Eleanor Donaldson entered the room and left, shutting the door. As a teenager in the mid-1990s, Witness B attended a Christian rehabilitation centre and disclosed the abuse, leading to a church-brokered meeting where Donaldson apologized for past events. She described the encounter as “a bit weird and surreal.” After his arrest, Donaldson told police he attended the meeting but no specific allegations were made, and he called the rape accusation “unbelievable.”
Witness A’s Testimony
Witness A alleges Donaldson touched her chest and kissed her inappropriately by inserting his tongue in her mouth. When challenged, he allegedly laughed it off, calling it a joke. He also made comments about her appearance, including the size of her breasts.
Trial Details
The trial, expected to last about four weeks, continues. Judge Paul Ramsey reminded the jury that Donaldson, knighted in 2016, is entitled to a fair trial despite his public profile. Donaldson resigned as MP and DUP leader in 2024 after his arrest.
