Ex-DUP chief in Northern Ireland given 15-year prison term for sexually abusing girls
Judge tells Jeffrey Donaldson his "catastrophic descent into disgrace" will see him behind bars until in his 70s. Former DUP comrades denounce their ex-leader as “vile and disgusting.”
Newry, Northern Ireland — Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson received a 15-year prison sentence on Thursday for sexually abusing two schoolgirls over a period spanning from 1985 to 2008. Judge Paul Ramsey announced an 11-year sentence for raping one victim and an additional 4 years for sexually abusing another.
Donaldson, 63, maintained a stoic expression as the judge delivered the verdict. The offenses occurred when the two victims, referred to as Victim A and Victim B in court, were children. The detailed accounts provided by the victims described abuse that began when they were around 7 or 8 years old, with one victim recounting recurring nightmares, expressing a fear of not being afraid at night.
The judge pointed out Donaldson's consistent denial of the allegations, noting his "catastrophic descent into disgrace." The Democratic Unionist Party, Donaldson's former political affiliation, swiftly denounced him upon his arrest in 2024 and removed him from their website. The party expressed their thoughts towards the victims who had to relive the trauma of the abuse during the trial, emphasizing their need for compassion, support, and respect.
Donaldson had served as an MP for the Lagan Valley constituency from 1997 to 2024, first as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party and subsequently as a leader of the hard-line DUP. He became the DUP leader in 2021, overseeing the collapse of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government due to disagreements over post-Brexit trade rules.
Just weeks before his arrest, Donaldson played a significant role in re-establishing the coalition government. In March 2024, he was apprehended at his secluded County Down residence, along with his wife Eleanor, who was deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental health concerns. The UK government subsequently removed Donaldson from the Privy Council and stripped him of his knighthood.
Donaldson is currently housed in an isolated section of Northern Ireland's Maghaberry Prison, a facility designated for the security of sex offenders. Reports indicate that he spends his days at the prison engaged in puzzles and reading the Bible.
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