Eleanor Donaldson, wife of former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson, has been placed on the sex offender register for five years. The order was imposed for aiding and abetting sexual offences committed by her husband.
Appearing via remote link at Newry Crown Court on Friday, Ms Donaldson, 60, also received a three-year supervision and treatment order from Judge Paul Ramsey. This order will require her to attend appointments, treatment, and home visits under the supervision of a social worker from the Craigavon community mental health team.
The court heard that Ms Donaldson faced a trial of the facts after being deemed unfit to participate in a conventional trial due to mental health grounds. A jury found that she had aided and abetted her husband’s abuse. Two experts, one for the prosecution and one for the defence, advised the court that a supervised treatment order was the most appropriate option.
Her husband, Jeffrey Donaldson, was convicted in June of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, spanning from 1985 to 2008. He was sentenced to 15 years in October. Both Mr Donaldson and his wife are appealing against their convictions and jury verdict, respectively.
Rosemary Walsh KC, the prosecutor, stated that “pain permeated” the statements of the victims, known as complainants A and B, who were present in court for the hearing.