Eleanor Donaldson could now face civil case
Posted by Jim on June 24, 2026
THE IRISH NEWS:
Northern Ireland
Eleanor Donaldson could now face civil case after avoiding prison for aiding and abetting her husband’s abuse.
The 60-year-old was ruled unfit to face a criminal trial.
Eleanor Donaldson arrives at Newry Court in June 2025.
By Conor Sheils
June 24, 2026 at 6:00am BST
Eleanor Donaldson could now face a civil case after avoiding prison despite aiding and abetting her husband’s sexual abuse, the Irish News can reveal.
The 60-year-old was deemed unfit to face a criminal trial on mental health grounds.
Instead, she faced a trial of the facts, a legal process in which a jury determines only whether she committed the acts, with no conviction and no sentence possible.
On Monday, the jury found that Eleanor Donaldson had committed four counts of aided and abetting her husband’s sexual abuse and one count of child cruelty.
No judicial repercussions are possible for her due to the nature of a trial of the facts.
However, legal sources told The Irish News that Monday’s ruling could open the possibility for other judicial avenues, such as a civil case being taken against her or her estate.
“If a person has been found responsible for the acts, that’s at the criminal standard – which is higher than the civil standard,” a Belfast solicitor said.
“The injured parties could potentially have a strong basis for a civil action.”
The criminal standard requires a finding beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas civil cases are decided on the balance of probabilities.
It is understood that Eleanor Donaldson’s unfitness to participate in criminal proceedings could also be invoked to resist involvement in civil litigation.
However, if she were found to lack capacity, legal sources told The Irish News that a civil action could potentially still be taken against her estate, a route available in cases where the defendant is deceased or incapacitated.
During the trial, the court was told how Eleanor Donaldson facilitated the rape of Complainant B by her husband.
The jury also heard how Eleanor witnessed Jeffrey Donaldson sexually assault Complainant B, before turning and walking out of the room, closing the door behind her.
The trial was told how Complainant A disclosed Jeffrey Donaldson’s abuse to Eleanor, but that the matter was “brushed under the carpet”.
Eleanor told police that she had never witnessed any inappropriate behaviour by her husband and denied she had carried out the acts.
However, the jury of seven men and five women found that she had.
Eleanor Donaldson cannot be sent to prison despite a jury finding she aided and abetted her husband’s abuse, including rape, and carried out child cruelty.
However, the evidence established during the trial, including witness testimony heard by the jury, could now prove significant in any subsequent civil proceedings against her.