Rufus Diamuid Donahue was an Underworld client whose attempts to blackmail Stephen Reid in 2023, led to Stephen murdering him.
Interested in signing a deal with Nippersnapper, the new start-up company headed by Sarah Barlow and Michael Bailey, Rufus rescinded his initial contract due to infighting between the pair and Carla Barlow. Carla challenged Stephen to rescue the deal with Rufus, in return for 15% commission and permanent job. Stephen tracked Rufus down to the Chariot Square Hotel. Rufus explained to Stephen about his recreational use of LSD and suffered a heart attack midway through the pitch. As Rufus was being taken to Weatherfield General, An escort named Candice arrived demanding payment for her services. Stephen made a recording of her demands and turned up at the hospital, threatening to tell Rufus's wife, unless he signed the contract. He reluctantly agreed.
Having taken a vial of LSD from Rufus's briefcase, Stephen began systematically lacing Carla's drinks with the drug to make her think she was having psychotic episodes. Stephen ran out of the LSD and he called Rufus and again threatening him unless he complied. Peter Barlow found Rufus's watch in the back of his taxi and upon discovering it was worth £15,000, decided to keep it and tried to use to money to pay off Paul Foreman, who was attempting to sue Peter. Rufus got back to Stephen and agreed to supply him with LSD, but soon after realised what he was doing with it. Stephen attempted to make a deal with Rufus, as they both had dirt on each other, but Rufus got the upper hand when he told Stephen that his wife had already left him.
Rufus used his leverage over Stephen to get him to end a potential deal with an American client, giving him sole rights to Nippersnapper. Stephen contemplated killing Rufus but was stopped by Michael walking in on them. Although he initially agreed to Rufus's terms, Stephen was forced to renegotiate with him after Michael began becoming suspicious as to why Stephen had cancelled the American deal. He offered Rufus 10% of the profits of the American deal and Rufus agreed to go ahead with the plan, but only if he could have 25%.
Rufus later went back on his word however, and told Stephen he wanted 50%. Stephen refused the offer and Rufus offered Michael a job. In a deal with Damon Hay, Paul broke into Rufus's house to get his car keys and stole his car. When Michael arrived at Rufus's house to discuss the job offer, he got no response. Earlier that day, Stephen had paid Rufus a visit under the guise of asking for a truce and agreeing to his terms. While the pair were chatting over a few drinks by the pool, Rufus left to get another bottle of wine and Stephen poured a vial of LSD into Rufus's glass. Rufus began feeling unwell and as Stephen began escorting him out of the room, Rufus realised what he had done. Stephen pushed Rufus into the pool and held his head under the water until he was no longer moving.
Michael, annoyed that Rufus wasn't getting back to him, again went to visit him. Rufus's housekeeper told Michael that Rufus had drowned the previous night. Damon instructed Paul to get rid of Rufus's car, but Paul's driving led to him being pulled over by the police who recognised the car and arrested him. Due to CCTV footage, Paul was able to have an alibi for Rufus's death. Two lads who Stephen had bought LSD off, Kyle and Mitchell, attempted to blackmail Stephen for £10,000 and delivered him a note that read "I know what you did to Rufus". Stephen managed to scare the pair away by threatening them.
Rufus's widow, Lou, disagreed with the inquest into Rufus's death that said he died by misadventure and she organised a memorial service. At the service, Lou showed Stephen the belongings found at the scene and he was horrified to see his tie-pin included. Stephen managed to steal the tie-pin from her and disposed of it down a drain, thinking he was in the clear. Stephen eventually confessed to Jenny Connor that he had killed Rufus, following the discovery of the bodies of his other victims, Leo and Teddy Thompkins.
List of appearances[]
2023