Jeffrey Donaldson told of ‘descent into disgrace’ as he is given 15-year prison term
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for historical sex offenses against two victims. The judge described his actions as a 'catastrophic descent into disgrace' during the sentencing hearing.
Why it matters
The sentencing of a high-profile political figure for serious crimes is a major event in Northern Irish politics and justice.
Jeffrey Donaldson , unlike his two victims who sat a short distance from him in Newry Crown Court, showed no emotion as a 15-year prison sentence was imposed on Thursday.
Hands clasped in front of him, the former DUP leader stood in the dock and tilted his head slightly as Judge Paul Ramsey told him that his “prolonged campaign” of sex offences against young children had led to a “catastrophic descent into disgrace”.
Dressed in a navy suit and pink tie, the 63-year-old was clean-shaven; his appearance unaltered from the weeks before his dramatic arrest in March 2024 when he was the toast of Washington following Stormont’s restoration.
However, gone was the Christian fish pin he had worn on his lapel throughout the four-week trial in June.
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