Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife planted a listening device in his car after becoming suspicious he was having affair with a constituent, a court in Newry has been told.  

The 63-year-old former MP in on trial in relation to 18 alleged historical sex offence charges, dating from 1985 to 2008 – including a charge of rape. He denies all of the charges against him.  

His wife Eleanor Donaldson, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore in Co Down, is charged with aiding and abetting. She denies the charges.  

She will not be in court and is facing a trial of the facts as she has been ruled medically unfit to stand trial.  

Allison Morris was in court. 

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The BelTel

Donaldson Trial: Wife planted a bug in MP’s car over suspicions of an affair, Newry court hears 

The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has been hearing its 17th week of evidence.  This week the inquest heard a police constable say investigating the culvert in which the teenager's body was found was “not a priority” during the first few days of the search. The jury also heard an engineer say it was ‘Extremely unlikely’ Noah entered the watercourse from anywhere but culvert entrance at Premier Drive. 

Liam Tunney is the Belfast Telegraph’s chief reporter on the inquest. 

Noah Donohoe Inquest: Searching culvert “not a priority” 

Sixty years after being jailed with Ian Paisley, a veteran Free Presbyterian minister is daring his clerical colleagues to expel him.  Now, the Rev Ivan Foster – himself a former DUP Assemblyman – is facing discipline for criticising Free Presbyterian ministers. A second cleric, the Rev David Linden, is also facing disciplinary measures. 83-year-old Rev Foster has publicly accused the church of breaking its own rules.  

 Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. 

Former Free Presbyterian minister jailed with Ian Paisley ‘dares’ colleagues to expel him 

The trial of Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged sex crimes has heard he wrote a letter to an alleged victim asking for forgiveness.  The court was read the letter from June 2020 to a woman he is accused of abusing. In it he asked for her forgiveness for “hurt and pain I have caused”. In the letter to Witness A, he referred to “sinful and selfish actions” and wrote he wanted to “take full responsibility for all I have done”.  An interview recorded in March 2024 was shown to the court, which showed Witness A recounting two main alleged incidents.  The witness said that inappropriate touching had become “a very casual thing”. 

63-year-old Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged historical sexual offences. 

Allison Morris is covering the trial for the Belfast Telegraph.

Donaldson Trial: Wife planted a bug in MP’s car over suspicions of an affair, Newry court hears

In 1 playlist(s)

The BelTel

Social links

Recent clips