Wife of jailed ex-DUP leader placed on sex offenders register

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 14:01 · Archive

Eleanor Donaldson, wife of former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson, has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years following a fact-finding hearing at court on Friday. During her husband's trial at Newry Crown Court, she was found to have aided and abetted his offences by witnessing the abuse and doing nothing to intervene. Because of mental health issues, she faced only a fact-finding hearing rather than a criminal conviction.

As well as being placed on the sex offenders register, Donaldson was given a three-year supervision and treatment order. Being on the register requires her to comply with strict reporting and lifestyle rules managed by the police. Judge Paul Ramsey explained the court order when she appeared on a remote link for the brief hearing.

Her husband, Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, was sentenced to 15 years in prison last month for the rape and sex abuse of two girls between 1985 and 2008. He was convicted of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 indecent assault charges. He had led the Democratic Unionist Party from 2021 until 2024 and held a seat in the House of Commons from 1997 until his resignation following his arrest two years ago.

How it is being reported

• Wife of jailed ex-leader of Northern Ireland's largest pro-UK party put on sex offenders registerEleanor Donaldson, the wife of former Northern Ireland unionist leader Jeffrey Donaldson, has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years.Clickorlando · 13 Nov, 13:36
• Wife of jailed ex-leader of Northern Ireland's largest pro-UK party put on sex offenders registerEleanor Donaldson, the wife of former Northern Ireland unionist leader Jeffrey Donaldson, has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years.News4Jax · 13 Nov, 13:36

In this story: Eleanor Donaldson · Jeffrey Donaldson · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland · Newry Crown Court

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