A survivor of sexual abuse felt close to physically sick after details of Jeffrey Donaldson’s crimes emerged as she had previously revealed intimate details of being sexually assaulted as a child at a meeting with the disgraced former DUP leader.
Donaldson, convicted in June of sexual offences against children, included rape and indecent assault, held meetings over a number of years with survivors of abuse, it has emerged.
At one meeting at the long time DUP MP’s constituency office in Lisburn, he was shown art work detailing abuse carried out at one institution.
“His head was bowed down and there was not a word heard out of him,” said Margaret McGuckin, who was at the meeting in June, 2019, as survivors campaigned for a redress bill that was eventually passed by Parliament later that year. This was during a period the Assembly was suspended.
“I am asking now what was he getting out of it, what was he thinking, these were children being abused. He was getting a kick out of it.”
Another survivor at the meeting in June 2019, who wants to remain anonymous, revealed “intimate” details of a sexual assault she suffered at an institution. She was “close to physically sick” after allegations against Donaldson first emerged ahead of of his conviction following trial in June.
The survivors were open about what happened to them as they wanted Donaldson to grasp the importance of what they were campaigning for.
Donaldson, currently in Maghaberry Prison in his own one time constituency of Lagan Valley, is due to be sentenced in September.
Following his conviction, other claims emerged about his activities, including visits to a gay sauna and involvement with young female prostitutes, and bouts of heavy drinking on overseas trips.
At least one group of survivors and an individual cancelled meetings with Donaldson due to take place in early 2022 when he was leader of the DUP.
They cancelled after being told of his alleged “London activities”, specifically his visiting prostitutes. A notice of intent to take legal action has been filed by an individual after a meeting was set up with Donaldson.
Ms McGuckin, a long time campaigner and leader of SAVIA (Survivors & Victims of Institutional Abuse). confirmed the woman revealed details of the sexual assault at the meeting. They were given no warning to stay away from Donaldson because of the rumoured activities.
Donaldson greeted the survivors, at least four, and sat with them around a long brown table, Ms McGuckin said. She handed him the laminated double A4 pages of artwork detailing the abuse suffered by survivors when they were children..
When she heard about the then allegations against Donaldson, which emerged after charges were brought in March, 2024, “all I could think about was that montage”.
“He spent most of the meeting with his head down, scrutinising, almost salivating, looking at those pictures,” said Ms McGuckin.
“We thought him being a Christian, but now I feel so ashamed that I went to his office, that I trusted him.” Ms McGuckin added that neither he nor his office was in touch with the group following the meeting.
Donaldson was found guilty in June of 18 sexual offences against two victims who were children at the time of the abuse: one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency.
