Donaldson case complainants ‘not reliable enough’ for guilty verdicts – defence

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court, where he and his wife Eleanor Donaldson are accused of historical sexual offences. Picture date: Wednesday June 17, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Two complainants who have accused Jeffrey Donaldson of sexual offences are not “sufficiently reliable enough” for the jury to find him guilty, a barrister has told a court.

The former DUP leader’s barrister Kieran Vaughan also told the jury to “ignore the noise and focus on the evidence” when they consider their verdicts.