Jeffrey Donaldson sex crimes were ‘evil and horrific’, Taoiseach says

Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at Newry Crown Court on Monday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

The sex crimes committed by Jeffrey Donaldson against children were “evil and horrific”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Donaldson, once the leader of the DUP and the long-time MP for Lagan Valley, is currently on remand in Maghaberry Prison ahead of his sentencing later in the year.

The Orange Order, of which Donaldson had been a member, has said membership for anyone found guilty of a serious criminal offence is “terminated with immediate effect”.

On Monday, a jury of seven men and five women at Newry Crown Court unanimously found 63-year-old Donaldson guilty of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.

The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008.

The two victims gave evidence against him during the trial, during which Donaldson had denied the offences.

Judge Paul Ramsey told the former political leader that he can expect a “lengthy” prison term when he is sentenced.

Current DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said Donaldson was “guilty of abusing the trust” of those within the party with “lies and his cover-ups” in relation to his sexual crimes.

Donaldson has also faced calls to be stripped of his knighthood.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described the crimes committed by Jeffrey Donaldson as ‘evil’ (Conor O Mearain/PA)

Taoiseach Mr Martin was asked about the Donaldson conviction as he arrived at a cabinet meeting in Dublin on Tuesday morning.

He said: “I think the crimes committed by Jeffrey Donaldson were evil and horrific.”

“His manner in which he defended the case I think added further harm and damage to the victims.

“Our hearts go out to the victims, what they went through was absolutely abhorrent, very difficult to comprehend.

That man lived a lie all his life and he did great evil and great damage and it is horrific and shocking.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the court in Newry had sent out a “very clear verdict”.

He said: “My thoughts today are with the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson in Northern Ireland. Despicable, vile crimes and the decision of a court of justice in the north shows that nobody is beyond the law.

The courts gave a very clear verdict in relation to the vile, disgusting and despicable acts that were undertaken.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “We do not comment on individual cases.

“However, in accordance with our rules, the membership of any individual found guilty of a serious criminal offence or ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register is terminated with immediate effect.”

Donaldson’s wife, Eleanor Donaldson, had faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds, which meant she did not participate in the trial.

The jury found that she had done the acts in relation to five charges — including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband’s offending.