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'Take Mr Donaldson down’: Jeffrey Donaldson convicted of rape

Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of all 18 counts of sexual abuse against two victims.  T...
Jamie O'Hara
Jamie O'Hara

14.30 22 Jun 2026


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'Take Mr Donaldson down’: Jeff...

'Take Mr Donaldson down’: Jeffrey Donaldson convicted of rape

Jamie O'Hara
Jamie O'Hara

14.30 22 Jun 2026


Share this article


Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of all 18 counts of sexual abuse against two victims. 

The former DUP leader had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault between 1985 and 2008. 

His wife Eleanor Donaldson faced a trial of the facts and was found to have committed five counts of aiding and abetting her husband. 

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Donaldson gave no reaction as the foreman confirmed each of the guilty verdicts in Court 1 of the courthouse in Newry just after 2.15. 

The jury returned their verdict after 10 hours of deliberations at the start of the fifth week of the trial.

Eleanor Donaldson was deemed unfit to take part in the trial, faced a trial of the facts and cannot be criminally convicted.

Judge Paul Ramsey set a sentencing date for the end of September and remanded Jeffrey Donaldson in custody.

He ordered he be placed on the sex offenders register and asked the prison service staff to ‘Take Mr Donaldson down’.

Main image: Jeffrey Donaldson outside Newry Crown Court. Picture by: Alamy.com. 


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Crime Jeffrey Donaldson Northern Ireland Violence Against Women And Girls

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