Trial of former DUP leader Donaldson and wife to get under way in May

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife on charges relating to alleged historical sexual offences is expected to start in May.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a time period between 1985 and 2008, involving two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.

The trial has been delayed due to her medical condition.

A brief review hearing at Newry Crown Court on Monday morning was told that a timetable had been agreed for the trial.

Judge Paul Ramsey was told that a trial date of Tuesday, May 26th, has been agreed as suitable for all parties and witnesses.

The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.

Asked for an update on a medical report on Lady Eleanor Donaldson, defence barrister Ian Turkington said there is “no doubt that Mrs Donaldson is seriously unwell”.

He said under the Mental Health Northern Ireland Order, fitness to be tried can only be determined on the evidence of two medical practitioners.

“We have one at the moment suggesting that Mrs Donaldson is unfit,  but obviously that is insufficient; we require two, and that being so, presently, fitness to be tried is not an issue that needs to be settled by this court,” he said.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged.

Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.