Jeffrey Donaldson denies abuse of two alleged victims

Entering the witness box in a blue suit and red tie, the former MP faced cross-examination by prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC. The charges against him include one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 counts of indecent assault on a female. Throughout the testimony, Donaldson maintained a total denial of all allegations.

Donaldson’s claims that complainants are lying

Under questioning, Donaldson explicitly agreed with the prosecution’s assertion that his defense is that the women are telling lies. When asked by Ms. Walsh whether he had ever abused Complainant B, Donaldson replied, “I didn’t.”

The prosecution countered that Complainant B estimates the abuse began when she was seven or eight years old. Donaldson dismissed this, stating, “That’s what she says.”

According to The Irish Times, Donaldson suggested that Complainant B’s allegations were motivated by resentment. He testified that the accusations first surfaced around 1997, a period when he was ascending politically to become an MP. He suggested she may have resented him being “on the up and up” while she struggled with drug problems at a Christian centre in Armoy.

Ms. Walsh put it to the former DUP leader that he had escalated the abuse because he had been “getting away with it.” Donaldson rejected this, stating, “Again, this did not happen.”

The disputed apology letter to Complainant A

A central point of contention in the trial is a letter Donaldson wrote to Complainant A, in which he expressed regret over the “hurt, pain and distress I have caused.” In the text, he described himself as a sinner who had dug a “pit of sin” due to a “sinful nature” he failed to address for years.

There is a discrepancy between reports regarding the timing of this correspondence. RTE reported the letter was written in 2008, while BreakingNews.ie and other sources date the letter to June 2020.

Complainant A testified that she interpreted the letter as an apology for the abuse she suffered, which included allegations that Donaldson touched her breast, kissed her, and used a bright light to examine her genitals. Donaldson categorically denied this interpretation.

“Absolutely not. I would never have done anything of that nature. This is not the reason this letter was written.”

He further admitted to the court that his political career had been “all consuming” and acknowledged having an affair in 2008.

Allegations involving Eleanor Donaldson

The trial also involves Eleanor Donaldson, the former leader’s wife, who is charged with five counts of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged crimes. She denies these charges.

During his testimony, Jeffrey Donaldson addressed a specific allegation from Complainant B, who claims that Eleanor Donaldson walked into a room and witnessed him touching the child’s chest. Donaldson described this scenario as “just unbelievable,” arguing that his wife would have intervened immediately because of her nature.

Eleanor Donaldson was not present in court. Medical evidence has led the court to rule her unfit to stand trial, meaning she will instead face a trial of the facts.

Trial timeline and charges

The proceedings at Newry Crown Court have reached their thirteenth day.

Donaldson’s defense barrister, Kieran Vaughan KC, questioned him on the circumstances of the alleged rape of Complainant B. Donaldson insisted he was “absolutely crystal clear” that the event did not happen, stating, “It’s not something that I would have done.”

The trial continues as the court weighs the verbatim denials of a former political heavyweight against the testimonies of two women alleging childhood abuse.