The wife of Jeffrey Donaldson, the disgraced former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for ‘aiding and abetting’ her husband.
Eleanor Donaldson was found to have covered up child sex offences committed by her husband for more than two decades.
Earlier this year, former politician Donaldson, 63, was unanimously convicted during a trial of 18 offences committed against two victims over a 23-year period.
The charges included one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency, taking place between 1985 and 2008.
Now his wife has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.
She was also handed a three-year supervision and treatment order (STO) by a judge at Newry Crown Court.
Eleanor briefly appeared on Friday during the proceedings via videolink so that Judge Paul Ramsey could explain the court order to her.
She will be placed under community supervision, rather than being sent to prison or a secure hospital, for the duration of the order.
The 60-year-old from Dromore, Co Down, had faced a trial of the facts at the same time, after she was found unfit to participate in a conventional trial on mental health grounds.
Eleanor Donaldson, pictured leaving court in 2024, has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for ‘aiding and abetting’ her husband, Jeffrey Donaldson
Donaldson, seen arriving at Newry Courthouse in 2024 after being charged, has been sentenced to 15 years and will serve half of that in prison
During the trial of facts, the court heard that Eleanor had witnessed one of the assaults, but instead of intervening, she walked away and pulled the door shut behind her.
She was found to have done the acts alleged in relation to five charges, including four of aiding and abetting her husband’s abuse.
Donaldson’s crimes included kissing one victim, Victim A, and putting his tongue in her mouth when she was of primary school age. He also put his hands up her top to grope her and looked at her naked body using a light.
The second victim, Victim B, was also in primary school when he raped her. He indecently assaulted her on nine occasions, including once in front of his own wife.
Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years and will serve half of that in jail.
Bronagh Muldoon, assistant director for NSPCC Northern Ireland, said on Friday: ‘Jeffrey Donaldson repeatedly sexually abused two girls for many years, while his wife Eleanor Donaldson aided and abetted what he was doing.
‘It is right and important that the role she played in these terrible crimes has been recognised in court today.
‘The women involved in this case have shown incredible bravery in coming forward to ensure the Donaldsons have both been held accountable.
‘We would urge anyone who has suffered child sexual abuse to come forward and seek support, no matter how much time has passed.
‘We hope the outcome of this case highlights that they will be listened to and can achieve justice.
‘It is important for anyone worried about a child to ask questions and take action when needed to protect them.’
Adults can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk.
Childline is also available for children and young people on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk.
