A 55-year-old woman has been charged with breaching a lifetime ban on reporting the identities of alleged victims in the high-profile case of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

Detectives from Newry Criminal Investigation Department arrested the woman in the Ballynahinch area on Tuesday 28 July 2026. She is accused of contravening the lifelong anonymity order that protects complainants in sexual offence cases.

She is scheduled to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Monday 24 August. The charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service as standard procedure.

The case relates to the anonymity of two women who were victims in the trial of Donaldson. He was convicted in June 2026 of 18 counts of sexual abuse, including one count of rape. The offences were committed against the two women when they were children, between 1985 and 2008.

During the trial, the victims were identified only as Complainant A and Complainant B. Under UK law, child victims of sexual offences are granted automatic lifelong anonymity, which applies regardless of their age at the time of legal proceedings.

Donaldson is currently held at Maghaberry Prison awaiting sentencing. His solicitor, John McBurney, has confirmed that an appeal has been lodged.

Police have reminded the public that naming or alluding to the identity of victims in such cases may result in arrest and criminal charges. The restrictions cover all forms of publication, including social media.