A 55-year-old woman has been charged with breaching an anonymity order concerning the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader convicted of sex offenses. The arrest occurred Tuesday in the Ballynahinch area, according to police. Detectives stated the investigation centered on a breach of anonymity related to a recent high-profile court case.
The charges specifically allege a violation of a lifetime ban preventing the reporting of the identity of the victim or victims. The woman is scheduled to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates' Court on August 24.
Donaldson, who served as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2024, was convicted in June on 18 counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape. The offenses were committed against two women when they were children. The sentencing judge indicated that Donaldson would receive a lengthy prison term. It has since been confirmed that Donaldson intends to appeal his convictions.