Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of 18 historic sex abuse charges

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was found guilty on Monday of 18 counts of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency against two women when they were children, following a four-week trial at Newry Crown Court. The 63-year-old politician, once a prominent figure in unionist politics, was convicted on all charges after a jury deliberated for several days. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was also charged with aiding and abetting and cruelty to children, with the jury finding she carried out those acts.

The offences spanned a 23-year period, according to prosecutors, who described a sustained campaign of abuse against the two victims. The trial heard evidence that Donaldson, who led the DUP from 2015 to 2024, had exploited his position of power to manipulate and coerce the women, who were minors at the time. The jury’s verdict, delivered on 22 June 2026, marks a dramatic fall from grace for a man who once shaped Northern Ireland’s political landscape.

Political leaders across the spectrum have reacted with shock and condemnation. Unionist figures have called for Donaldson to be stripped of his knighthood, a title he received in 2016 for services to politics and the community. The DUP, which has distanced itself from Donaldson since the allegations emerged, has not yet commented on the verdict but is expected to face renewed scrutiny over its handling of past complaints.

The case has drawn international attention, with *The New York Times* describing it as a “weekslong jury trial” that exposed the “dark underbelly of political power.” Irish and British media have framed the conviction as a watershed moment for accountability in Northern Ireland, where high-profile figures have long evaded scrutiny over historical abuse claims. The *Irish Times* reported that the trial’s proceedings were marked by emotional testimony from the victims, who described years of trauma inflicted by Donaldson.

Donaldson, who was remanded in custody following the verdict, is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Legal experts suggest he faces a lengthy prison term, given the severity of the offences and the aggravating factors involved. The case has also reignited debates about institutional failures in protecting victims of abuse, particularly within political and religious organisations.

As Northern Ireland grapples with the fallout, the conviction of a once-dominant political figure underscores the enduring consequences of abuse—and the enduring demand for justice.