The trial of former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson has heard allegations that he sexually assaulted a child and later apologised at a church-brokered meeting. The 63-year-old former MP 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.
Prosecutor Rosemary Walsh outlined the case at Newry Crown Court on Wednesday, telling the jury of five women and seven men that the evidence would include pre-recorded interviews with the complainants, known as Witness A and Witness B. The women, who reported the alleged abuse to police in March 2024, will be cross-examined by barristers but will not appear in court. The jury will also see recorded interviews given by the Donaldsons after their arrest.
Witness B alleged that before she was 11, Donaldson put his hand in her pants 'a lot' and on one occasion touched her chest, inserted his fingers inside her genitals, and sexually assaulted her, leaving her 'feeling sick'. She also claimed that as a teenager in the mid-1990s, a church-brokered meeting took place where Donaldson apologised for past behaviour. Donaldson told police he attended the meeting but no specific allegations were made, and he called the rape accusation 'unbelievable'.
Witness A alleged Donaldson touched her chest and kissed her inappropriately by inserting his tongue in her mouth. When challenged, he allegedly laughed it off as a joke. She also said he made comments about her appearance, including the size of her breasts.
Eleanor Donaldson, deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds, was not present. She faces a trial of the facts, which tests evidence but cannot result in a conviction. Both proceedings will run simultaneously with separate legal teams. The trial is expected to last about four weeks.
