Donaldson planned African move with wife before conviction ended hopes of acquittal
Jeffrey Donaldson had planned to leave Northern Ireland with his wife, Eleanor, after his trial, believing he would be acquitted despite facing child sexual abuse charges. He expected to sell their home and take a senior job in North Africa, but his conviction and imprisonment ended those plans.
A friend said Donaldson had secured a lucrative chief executive role and was considering other opportunities, with luxury apartments available through contacts in the region. His home of 22 years is now for sale, possibly to help cover legal costs. The article says the case came to light after a woman, abused by Donaldson as a child, found the strength to report him after the birth of her own child; he was convicted and sentenced.
- Donaldson expected acquittal and planned a move to North Africa.
- He had arranged a lucrative job and potential luxury accommodation.
- His conviction and imprisonment ended the plans.
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Jeffrey Donaldson is a former Democratic Unionist Party leader and a prominent figure in Northern Ireland politics. He was charged with sexually abusing children, and the case concerned allegations dating back to when one of the women involved was a child.
The case was reported after a woman who said Donaldson had abused her as a child decided to go to the police after becoming a parent. His conviction and imprisonment brought his political career to an end and affected plans he and his wife had made for their future.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Jeffrey Donaldson was so confident he had conned the jury he believed he would walk free – now we reveal the new life he had planned for himself and his wife Eleanor in Africa”.