Jeffrey Donaldson Gets 15-Year Sentence for Rape and Abuse of Two Girls

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and sexual abuse of two girls when they were children, in a case that has shaken Northern Ireland’s political establishment.

Donaldson, 63, was sentenced on Thursday, October 15, at Newry Crown Court after being convicted by a jury in June 2026 of 18 offences, including one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.

The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008. The victims, who are now adults, told the court about abuse they experienced while they were young children.

Judge Paul Ramsey imposed 11 years for offences against one victim and a further four years for offences against the other, with the sentences to run consecutively. The judge described Donaldson’s fall from political prominence as a “catastrophic descent into disgrace” and criticised his lack of remorse.

Donaldson had denied the allegations and, according to reports, intends to appeal his convictions. He has been in custody since his conviction in June.

He led the DUP, Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, from 2021 until his resignation in 2024 following his arrest. He also relinquished his seat in the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, where he had represented Lagan Valley since 1997.

The court also ordered Donaldson to register as a sex offender for life. Police said he was additionally made subject to a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found during a separate trial of the facts to have carried out acts alleged in relation to five charges, including four involving aiding and abetting her husband’s abuse. She had previously been deemed medically unfit to stand trial, meaning the proceedings did not result in a criminal conviction against her. A further court hearing concerning the conclusion of her case is scheduled for November 13, 2026.

The DUP condemned Donaldson’s crimes following the sentencing, while police praised the victims for pursuing justice despite the long period between the abuse and the court proceedings.

The case has renewed attention on accountability for public figures and the lasting impact of child sexual abuse. The victims’ accounts highlighted how the consequences of abuse can continue long after the offences themselves have ended.