Two women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, claiming that he subjected them to distressing incidents during their childhood, as detailed in his ongoing trial. The prosecution has initiated the case at Newry Crown Court in Northern Ireland, where the 63-year-old former MP faces charges of rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault, totaling 18 counts, all of which he denies vehemently.
The alleged offenses are said to have occurred between 1985 and 2008, involving two complainants. Donaldson’s wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, residing in Dromore, Co Down, is also involved in the legal proceedings, accused of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged misconduct and is set for a trial of the facts.
During the trial, Jeffrey Donaldson, attired in a blue suit, stood in the dock as the accusations against him and his wife were presented to the jury comprising seven men and five women. Barrister Rosemary Walsh KC began the prosecution’s case by outlining the evidence, which includes witness testimonies and police interviews conducted with the Donaldsons at the time of their arrest in 2024.
Walsh informed the court that the two complainants had approached the police over two years ago, narrating distressing incidents they claim occurred during their childhood. Their testimonies, partly through pre-recorded interviews, will be presented to the court, with the complainants not physically attending the proceedings but open to cross-examination by barristers.
One of the complainants, referred to as Complainant B, disclosed to the police in March 2024 that she had been sexually abused as a child, vividly remembering two specific incidents involving Donaldson. She recounted how he had inappropriately touched her and made her uncomfortable on several occasions. The other complainant, Complainant A, also shared her account of alleged inappropriate behavior by Donaldson when she was a child.
Eleanor Donaldson, facing a trial of the facts due to mental health reasons, is undergoing legal scrutiny alongside her husband, although a conviction is not possible under this proceeding. The trial is projected to last three to four weeks, shedding light on the accusations against the former DUP leader, who stepped down from his leadership position and party affiliation following the emergence of these serious allegations.
Before these legal proceedings, Donaldson had played a significant role in the political landscape, notably leading the DUP back into the government at Stormont after a two-year hiatus. The case continues to unfold as the court examines the evidence and testimonies in what is expected to be an extended legal process.