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Jury finds Northern Ireland's Donaldson guilty of historic child sex offences

By Reuters Reuters
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), charged with historical sex offences, leaves the Newry Courthouse after his trial in Newry, Northern Ireland, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), charged with historical sex offences, leaves the Newry Courthouse after his trial in Newry, Northern Ireland, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton Cathal McNaughton Reuters

A jury in Northern Ireland found former politician Jeffrey Donaldson guilty on Monday of historic child sex offences against two women when they were children at dates between 1985 and 2008.

He was found guilty of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency, the court heard. He denied all charges.

Donaldson, 63, was one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians when he was arrested and charged in March 2024. He immediately stepped down as head of the Democratic Unionist Party, the region's largest pro-British unionist party.

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson; Writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), charged with historical sex offences, walks outside the Newry Courthouse as his trial continues, in Newry, Northern Ireland, June 22, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), charged with historical sex offences, walks outside the Newry Courthouse as his trial continues, in Newry, Northern Ireland, June 22, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton Cathal McNaughton Reuters
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), charged with historical sex offences, walks outside the Newry Courthouse as his trial continues, in Newry, Northern Ireland, June 22, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), charged with historical sex offences, walks outside the Newry Courthouse as his trial continues, in Newry, Northern Ireland, June 22, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton Cathal McNaughton Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 6:32 AM.

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