The jury in the trial of former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged sex offences has been sworn in at Newry Crown Court. The trial, which is expected to last about four weeks, began on Tuesday amid heavy police and media presence.
Donaldson, 63, faces 18 charges including rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault, spanning from 1985 to 2006. The rape charge alleges unlawful sexual intercourse without consent between 1985 and 1991. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault, but was deemed unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds and will instead face a trial of facts, which tests evidence without resulting in a criminal conviction.
Both deny the charges. The judge, Paul Ramsey, told potential jurors that Donaldson, a well-known public figure, is entitled to a fair trial. The prosecution will begin its opening address on Wednesday.
Donaldson, a former MP for Lagan Valley, was a key figure in unionism and helped broker the post-Brexit Windsor framework. He resigned as MP and DUP leader after his arrest in March 2024 and was suspended from the party. Northern Ireland's attorney general has warned against social media posts that could infringe victims' anonymity or affect jurors.
