Eleanor Donaldson on sex offenders list for five years

Updated / Friday, 13 Nov 2026 12:05

The wife of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been placed on the sex offenders list for five years.

Eleanor Donaldson was also made the subject of a three year supervision and treatment order under mental health legislation when the case against her concluded at Newry Crown Court this morning.

In June, Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of rape of a schoolgirl and a series of sexual offences against her and another child.

Ms Donaldson, 60, was found to have aided and abetted his offending.

She was subject to a non-criminal process called a trial of the facts, due to concerns about her mental health.

She did not attend the trial but was legally represented throughout.

She was brought onto a videolink hearing for two minutes at the conclusion of the case this morning so that the decision of the court could be explained to her.

She kept her head bowed and appeared emotional throughout.

She was asked at the conclusion if she understood the outcome. She nodded her head and said yes.

The supervision and treatment order will see her placed under the supervision of a social worker attached to Craigavon Community Mental Health Team.

The terms of the order mean that she must attend appointments and submit to treatment

Judge Paul Ramsey said having heard expert medical evidence from two clinicians he felt it was "inevitable" that the supervision and treatment order was the most appropriate disposal in her case.

Both of Jeffrey Donaldson's victims were in court for the sentencing of his wife Eleanor.

The pair, now adults, sat in the public gallery along with police officers who had investigated the case.

In June, the jury at Newry Crown Court jury found Jeffrey Donaldson guilty of all 18 sex offences, including a single charge of rape.

The offending occurred between 1985 and 2008.

He was sentenced last month to 15 years in jail for the crimes.

He is entitled to 50% remission so will serve seven and a half years in jail and the rest on licence