Jeffrey Donaldson Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Sexual Abuse

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Newry Crown Court on October 15 for child sexual abuse offences. A jury convicted him in June 2026 of 18 offences, including one charge of rape, after he denied the allegations. The offences on which the jury returned unanimous verdicts involved two victims, now adults, and occurred during 1985–1991 and 1999–2008. He must remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service said Donaldson has lodged an appeal.