Debate contribution: Jeffrey Donaldson: Further Revelations

Debate contribution by Mr Timothy Gaston on 29 June 2026.

MLA

Mr Timothy Gaston

Party at the time

Traditional Unionist Voice

Date

29 June 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Matter of the Day

Heading

Jeffrey Donaldson: Further Revelations

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5644503

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The revelations that have come to light since dirty Donaldson's conviction and the red flags that his colleagues ignored raise profound and troubling questions for the DUP, but for Sinn Féin generally and Deirdre Hargey in particular to come to the Chamber and pontificate about safeguarding is utter hypocrisy. There was not much safeguarding the night that Miss Hargey hid in the toilet as Robert McCartney was being murdered. If there is one thing that we must learn from this sad and vile tragedy, it is that we must listen to victims. I would like to put on record some facts that have been drawn to my attention by two victims of abuse in the past 24 hours. Gerry Adams covered up his father's abuse and ensured that he was given a full republican funeral. He covered up his brother's abuse of his niece for years. Adams knew —

— about Máiría Cahill's case.

Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker, but it is important that we look at those who have brought forward the Matter of the Day. They are more than willing to direct the eye and point the finger —

— at other people, who deserve to have the eye directed at them, but they have to look through the prism of what they have done in their past. Today, we heard from Miss Hargey that a victim should not be forced to face their abuser. That is exactly what the IRA did to Máiría Cahill.

Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you very much. I take your guidance. Let us look at the red flags that were missed. A victim came forward to the former MP for North Antrim Mr Paisley. The concerns raised were serious enough for Mr Paisley to send a text message to somebody outside his party. My question to the Democratic Unionist Party is this: who else was that text message shared with? Who else was leant on when it came to the leadership race, and was it used then? It is clear from the timeline of events that, back in March 2023, Donaldson was compromised. There needs to be a full and transparent explanation of who knew what, when they knew it and, indeed, when that information was passed among and talked about within the party. I have serious concerns and reservations when it comes to safeguarding. We all have to look at this as something that requires a victim-centred approach, but there are parties sitting in the Chamber that do that only when it suits. Those who tabled this special Matter of the Day turned a blind eye when it suited them. I think of all victims: I think of Máiría Cahill and those who suffered at the hands of Sinn Féin. The hypocrisy that Sinn Féin has shown cannot be let slide. I pay tribute to the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson. Sadly, I believe that more will come forward as a result of the red flags that were missed. He was allowed to live a double life. I hope that —

— in future, that will not be allowed —

— to happen with anyone else in political life.

528 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Uncertain: weak signal Legacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarism

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:58 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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