Simon Coveney has said he would never have “contemplated” that Jeffrey Donaldson was a paedophile during their working relationship.
Yesterday, the former DUP leader was found guilty of 18 charges by a jury at Newry Crown Court, including one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was too ill to stand trial and instead faced a trial of the facts; while she denied the charges against her, she was found to have committed five counts of aiding and abetting her husband.
Following the verdict, Judge Paul Ramsey informed Donaldson that he faced a lengthy custodial sentence and remanded him in custody.
In a statement after the verdict, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said his party had been “shocked at the evidence presented” to the court.
“No one, regardless of status or position, can ever be above the law and Jeffrey Donaldson is no exception,” he said.
“Abuse, preying on the innocent, and taking advantage of the vulnerability of children in particular is evil.
“That Jeffrey Donaldson’s lies and cover-ups have been uncovered and the spotlight of justice shone upon them should serve as a reminder that perpetrators cannot outrun justice.
“Victims can and must triumph over the evil and darkness that pervaded their innocent lives. Our thoughts continue to be with them.”
Jeffery Donaldson's billboard during the 2005 British General Election. Picture by: Alamy.com.On Newstalk Breakfast, former Tánaiste Simon Coveney said he had found the case “shocking”, adding that “it doesn't really get much worse” than a conviction for the rape of a child.
He added that as Minister for Foreign Affairs he had got to know Donaldson well during the Brexit negotiations, who at the time was the MP for Lagan Valley and the DUP Whip in the British Parliament.
“We had to try and find accommodation for all parties in Northern Ireland and address concerns,” he recalled.
“But yes, former colleagues of Jeffrey Donaldson are almost kind of short for words.
“People don't even want to comment - it's just so awful.”
Jeffrey Donaldson with Taoiseach Michael Martin in 2021. Picture by: Julien Behal / RollingNews.ie.Mr Coveney continued that he is glad that the legal process has “taken its course”.
“What he's been convicted of are horrific crimes and, of course, my thoughts, like everybody else, are with the victims of those crimes,” he said.
“It's shocking that you think you know somebody, at least professionally, and then you find out really extraordinary things about them through the legal and court system.
“I would never 10 years ago, five years ago, have even contemplated that he could have been convicted of these crimes - but that's the reality.”
Main image: Jeffrey Donaldson. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy.
