Jeffrey Donaldson trial in Northern Ireland sees police hunt online trolls

Police in Northern Ireland have launched an investigation to identify social‑media users who have attempted to reveal the identities of complainants in the sexual‑offences trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. Under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, victims are granted lifelong anonymity, and publishing their names is a criminal offence and contempt of court. Detectives are monitoring platforms and urging the public to stop sharing speculative commentary.

The trial at Newry Crown Court entered its third week as the jury listened to an edited recording of Donaldson’s police interview. The former party leader, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including rape, alleged to have been committed between 1985 and 2008 against two victims. The interview, reduced to three hours, was presented to the jury after removing repetition and irrelevant material. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, is not participating in the proceedings.

The case highlights the tension between court‑ordered anonymity protections and online behaviour, while the legal process proceeds amid heightened public and media attention.