Judge keen to ensure trial of Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife not delayed again
The couple both face charges relating to alleged historical sex offences.
The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed because of Eleanor Donaldson's ill health.
A new trial date has been set for November 3.
The case was mentioned briefly at Belfast Crown Court on Friday morning for an update on an assessment over whether Eleanor Donaldson is currently fit to stand trial.
Ian Turkington KC, who represents Eleanor Donaldson, said his client was examined by a consultant psychiatrist on July 18.
'We have been told we can expect a report, hopefully this Monday,' he said.
'That being so, I've indicated that if there is an intention to serve any report, it'll be done within seven days of our receipt of the report, assuming it is Monday.'
The prosecution also intend to instruct a doctor to examine Eleanor Donaldson.
Judge Paul Ramsey put to Mr Turkington that this depends what is in the report, and expressed that he is keen to ensure the trial date is not interfered with.
It was agreed the case would be mentioned on September 11 at Newry Crown Court for an update.
The judge said it would not be necessary for defendants to attend on that date.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing in Belfast on Friday, 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.
These alleged incidents span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims.
Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.
Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley was arrested and charged at the end of March last year.
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.
Previous deputy leader Gavin Robinson was appointed his successor as DUP chief.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Walsall Council provides update on future of former Bloxwich Hospital
The deputy leader of Walsall Council has provided an update following speculation about the future of the former Bloxwich Hospital site. The premises, still owned by the Black Country NHS Trust, was last used as a psychiatric facility before its closure in February 2025. READ MORE: Nine Walsall councillors blocked from standing in 2026 elections amid Conservative branch chaos The sale of the Reeves Street site is part of an agreement that has allowed the trust to secure funding for the newly opened Older People's Inpatient Unit at Dorothy Pattison Hospital. Since its closure, social media has been flooded with unsubstantiated claims that the building will be converted into 'luxury' accommodation for 'illegals'. However the trust said it was committed to ensuring any future use for the site will 'align with the needs of the community'. Currently, the building has no existing planning permissions and no live planning applications are under assessment by the council for any alternative use. Ward member for Bloxwich West, Councillor Michael Coulson, asked for the update at full council on July 30. Deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew responded: 'The trust, after interventions by officers, myself and Councillor Flint, are committed to ensuring that any future use for the site aligns with the needs of our community. 'They are working closely with us now to support the disposal and deliver a scheme that meets local needs. 'Any forthcoming proposal will be subject to a planning application and associated formal statutory consultation process.' Council Andrew said he has been 'quite firm' with the chief executive of the trust about its responsibility to secure the building. He added: 'Organisations which own public property need to make sure it is secured and that they are not causing a problem to the communities they represent, otherwise it just passes the bill on. 'Whether that's to the fire service because of an arson attack, or the police, or the council because we have to start taking enforcement action. 'I've been quite firm about their responsibility as a public sector organisation to the people that we all represent.'
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Motorcyclist banned for failing drug test following crash
A MOTORCYCLIST involved in a head-on crash with a Mercedes car, was banned from driving for failing a drug test. Daniel James, from Hunnyhill, Newport, was found with 3.0 ug/L of THC, a cannabis metabolite, in his system after the collision on April 8. The legal limit is 2.0. James, who was riding a motorcycle along Staplers Road in Newport, collided head-on with a Mercedes while travelling on the offside of busy, slow-moving traffic, during rush hour. Read more: Car and shopfront damaged after collision in Newport town centre Woman suffers serious injuries after collision in Sandown Taxi damaged after collision with lamppost on Ventnor road James, who is unemployed, was injured in the crash and failed a roadside drugs test. The 36-year-old was arrested and subsequently provided a blood sample, which confirmed the presence of THC. At the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday ( July 29), James pleaded guilty to drug driving. Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said there was no evidence of fault in the collision. For James, Jim Osborne said his client claimed the other driver was at fault and that he received £4,500 in compensation for his injuries, but did not mitigate on the drug-drive matter. Magistrates fined James £120, with £85 costs and a £48 surcharge. He was also banned from driving for 14 months.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Residents concerned over new housing updated on any plans
Residents concerned over the idea of new housing in Swindon have been rest assured that there are "no plans" for a new development. Wroughton and Wichelstowe residents were quick to share their concern over new potential housing being built on the field adjacent to Ashen Copse. The local parish council have reaffirmed that there is no indication of new housing and Councillor John Hewer released a statement. He said: "As Chair of Wroughton Parish Council, and on behalf of our parish councillors, I would like to let our residents know what we Wroughton & Wichelstowe Parish Council (WWPC) knows, we are seeing increasing anxiety from residents around the possibility that a couple of fields adjacent to Ashen Copse may be developed for housing. "We have not been given any official information about this. However, I have met with the landowner to establish what the possible plans are. "The land owner acknowledged that a land agent had contacted them about possible development on his land, however he confirmed to me that no plans had yet been presented to him and he promised to contact WWPC when this happens. "It is quite common for land agents to contact land owners who have put forward land to SBC for possible development, but this does not necessarily mean this will proceed." The land is located west of Wroughton where there is plenty of rural grounds headed towards Bassett Down. Recommended reading Comedian joins campaigners at Oasis concert in bid to save sports hall Residents react to 400 new homes to be built near Swindon What's happening to the Adver's former home in Old Town? The statement made by Councillor Hewer also expressed the commitment that the parish had to fight against unwanted land use. He continued: "WWPC will always give information that we can confirm as fact, but do not inform or comment on speculation. "WWPC have always robustly challenged any unwanted and inappropriate planning applications. "As an example, at last night's Planning and Highways meeting (29/07/2025), we strongly objected to the application for 14 houses proposed by a developer to be squeezed in between existing houses on Langton Park. "The Swindon Borough Council draft Local Plan has been published. "WWPC requested that Swindon Borough Council (SBC) hold a public meeting in Wroughton to explain their proposals to residents. "They refused a public meeting but have agreed to hold a public drop-in event for residents as part of SBC's consultation. This will be at the Ellendune Community Centre on the 6th October from 5 to 7pm."
