Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie is calling for the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to investigate what the PSNI knew about Jeffrey Donaldson’s child sexual offences. In statements reported by RTE and TheJournal.ie, Beattie argues that information and public commentary in the days following Donaldson’s conviction have raised “serious concerns.”
Both outlets describe the request as an Ombudsman review focused on PSNI awareness and handling of matters related to the case. The calls frame the probe as necessary to clarify potential gaps or issues in what officers or the police service knew at relevant times, rather than reassessing the conviction itself.
The reports do not provide additional details on the specific statements or actions by PSNI that prompted the concern, nor do they outline findings from any existing internal review. The central point of agreement across sources is that Beattie wants an Ombudsman investigation to examine PSNI’s knowledge and related decision-making connected to the offences for which Donaldson was convicted.
