In March 2024, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, as he was styled at the time, then leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Northern Ireland, was charged with one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency against two women when they were children, between 1985 and 2008. His wife, the then Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was also charged with aiding-and-abetting offences relating to the same matter. After several delays a trial date of 26 May 2026 was set for both defendants, but a subsequent court ruling found that Eleanor was unfit to stand trial due to mental health issues.
Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty on 22 June 2026 of all 18 offences. In a trial of the facts, the jury found that Eleanor Donaldson had aided and abetted her husband.
Background
On 30 June 2021, Jeffrey Donaldson became leader of the DUP following the resignation of Edwin Poots. As part of the party's protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol, First Minister Paul Givan resigned in February 2022, collapsing the Northern Ireland Executive. Although initially opposed to the Windsor Framework, Donaldson announced on 30 January 2024 that the DUP had secured sufficient changes to the deal to end its boycott and return to Stormont.
At around 6 am on 28 March 2024, Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor, were arrested at their home near Dromore in County Down by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and taken to Antrim Police Station for questioning regarding non-recent sexual offences. That evening, Donaldson was charged with rape and additional sexual offences, while Eleanor was charged with aiding-and-abetting offences. Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and stated in his resignation letter that he would be "strenuously contesting the charges".
Donaldson was initially charged with 11 offences relating to two complainants: one count of rape allegedly committed between 1985 and 1991, one count of gross indecency towards a child allegedly committed in 2005 or 2006, and nine counts of indecent assault allegedly committed between 1985 and 2006. Eleanor was charged with aiding and abetting cruelty, rape, and indecent assault, relating to two complainants and alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2004. As co-defendants, they were bailed to separate addresses; she returned to their home in Dromore, while he travelled to London to reside in an apartment in the Greenwich area.
Pretrial legal proceedings On 24 April 2024, Donaldson and his wife appeared before Newry Magistrates' Court to confirm that they understood the charges. They were bailed at £350 each, and the restriction preventing contact between them was lifted. On 3 July 2024, they again appeared before the court, where prosecution lawyers stated that there was a prima facie case to answer and neither defendant made contrary submissions. Both confirmed they understood the charges and declined to make verbal or written statements.
The court heard that Donaldson now faced 18 charges in total: one charge of rape four of gross indecency towards a child thirteen charges of indecent assault of a female child Eleanor's charges increased from four to five: one charge of aiding and abetting rape one charge of cruelty towards a person under the age of 16 three charges of aiding and abetting the assault of a female child
Both were released on continuing bail. On 10 September 2024, at an arraignment hearing at Newry Crown Court, Donaldson entered a not guilty plea to all 18 historical sexual offences.
In late October 2024, Eleanor's legal team applied to have two of her five charges withdrawn. During a February 2025 hearing, a video recording of one complainant's Achieving Best Evidence interview was played to Judge Paul Ramsey. Defence submissions were made by Ian Turkington KC, while prosecution barrister Rosie Walsh KC argued for the charges to remain. Both defendants were present but were not required to make submissions during the three‑hour hearing. On 28 February 2025, Judge Ramsey rejected the application and ruled that Eleanor should be tried on all five charges. Her legal team confirmed she would plead not guilty to all charges.
On 14 March 2025, it was announced that Eleanor was unfit to stand trial due to a medical issue. Judge Ramsey granted an adjournment, with a review scheduled for 16 May 2025 to consider a new trial date. A new start date of 3 November 2025 was later listed, with an assessment of Eleanor's fitness expected by mid‑July 2025. On 5 June 2025, Turkington KC provided medical reports from a consultant psychiatrist indicating a "significant mental deterioration", and further examinations were deemed necessary to assess her capacity to stand trial.
On 11 September 2025, the court heard that Judge Ramsey had received a psychiatrist's report commissioned by Eleanor's legal team, and that a prosecution‑appointed doctor would assess her the following week. The judge said he would review the case on 10 October 2025 and hoped to determine whether the trial could proceed in early November. However, the case was adjourned again until late October 2025 after it emerged that some of Eleanor's medical notes had not yet been provided to the prosecution. On 20 October 2025, Judge Ramsey vacated the 3 November trial date due to Eleanor's continuing poor health. Although no new date was set, he indicated that the trial would likely take place in the new year, with a further hearing scheduled for 23 January 2026 to consider updated psychiatric reports.
In February 2026, a trial date of 26 May 2026 was set for both defendants, but a later hearing ruled that Eleanor was unfit to stand trial due to mental health issues. Dr Christine Kennedy testified that she was "severely depressed" and suicidal, rendering her unable to instruct her legal team or follow proceedings. Judge Ramsey directed that she should instead undergo a trial of the facts concurrent with her husband's criminal trial, in which the jury would determine only whether she committed the acts alleged. He also rejected an application from Donaldson's legal team for separate trials.
Trial On the morning of 26 May 2026, Donaldson appeared at Newry Crown Court for the opening day of his trial. Eleanor, having been declared unfit to stand trial, did not attend. After jury selection had concluded, Judge Paul Ramsey informed the jury of five men and seven women that the trial was expected to last between three and four weeks. On the same day, the PSNI issued a statement warning the public against online commentary or speculation that could prejudice proceedings or identify the complainants. Jeffrey Donaldson was represented by Kieran Vaughan KC, who had previously worked on Ched Evans' appeal, while Eleanor Donaldson was represented by Ian Turkington KC, who had previously been the lead defence barrister during the "Soldier F" murder trial .
Opening statements Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh outlined to the jury how, two-and-a-half years earlier, the PSNI had been approached by two women who made allegations of child sexual abuse against Donaldson. The older of the two, referred to in court as 'Complainant B', told police of an incident in which Donaldson put his hand inside her underwear and sexually assaulted her, and another in which he fondled her exposed breasts without her consent. She further alleged that, during one incident, Eleanor entered the room while the abuse was taking place but immediately left again, closing the door behind her. 'Complainant A' also alleged that Donaldson had touched her breasts and, on another occasion, had forced his tongue into her mouth while kissing her against her will.
Walsh said that both complainants estimated that the abuse began when they were in primary school, although their recollections of the precise timelines were not exact. 'Complainant B' alleged that Donaldson had raped her while she pretended to be asleep, recalling "wanting to go home" afterwards. She additionally claimed in police interviews that frequent indecent assaults were carried out over a number of years, and that as she grew older she confided in several people. A meeting was arranged by a religious group between the complainant and Donaldson in January 1997, and although he apologised for what he "had done in the past", nothing specific was discussed. 'Complainant A' told police about becoming sexually aware from a young age and having vivid dreams of men doing "horrible things" to her. She also recalled waking one night to find Donaldson between her legs with a torch. She said she later confronted him about his behaviour, during which he allegedly nodded and looked at the floor but said nothing.
The court heard that Donaldson denied all accusations following his arrest in March 2024, while his wife Eleanor denied having aided and abetted his alleged offending. Walsh clarified that the charges against Eleanor were that she was aware of what was occurring at the time of the alleged offences.
Prosecution evidence The trial began with both of Donaldson's accusers appearing via video link to testify for the prosecution, before other witnesses took the stand to give evidence. Finally, the jury were played recording of police interviews with Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson where specific allegations were put to them.
'Complainant A' testimony The March 2024 police interview of 'Complainant A' was played to the court, in which she told officers that Donaldson began abusing her from around primary school age, often fondling her breasts. She alleged that he continued to make comments about the size of her breasts in the years that followed, and that his inappropriate behaviour was "laughed off as a joke". She also recalled an alleged incident as a teenager in which Donaldson used a bright light to examine her genitals. When she reached university age, 'Complainant A' said she realised the behaviour was abnormal and became angry, considering the accolades he received in his public role as a politician. She initially confided in her husband about what had happened and later spoke to a counsellor from a charity that supported child abuse victims, before approaching the PSNI to make an official statement. 'Complainant A' also confronted Donaldson in the presence of another person, demanding that he confirm what had happened to her as a child; however, he allegedly looked at the floor and silently nodded his head rather than respond to her accusations.
After the video had ended, 'Complainant A' was questioned via videolink by prosecutor Walsh regarding a letter sent to her by Donaldson in June 2020. The letter was read aloud to the court, in which Donaldson expressed "how much I truly regret all the hurt, pain and distress I have caused", adding that he took "full responsibility for it all" and "I understand how deep the wounds are caused by my sinful and selfish actions". When asked what she thought the letter was referring to, 'Complainant A' said she felt Donaldson was trying to apologise for the abuse he committed but did not want to formally admit to it in writing.