Latest news with #EleanorDonaldson
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Judge wants all sides to work towards November trial date for Donaldsons
A judge has said he wants all sides to work towards ensuring the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Donaldson, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences, goes ahead in November. A previous court hearing had been told that there had been a deterioration in the medical condition of Eleanor Donaldson. A brief review of the case at Newry Crown Court on Thursday heard that an assessment over whether she is currently fit to stand trial will take place next month. 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. Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing on Thursday, 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. The charges 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. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O' Kane told the court that the hearing had been organised to ensure 'all matters are still on track'. Eleanor Donaldson's barrister, Ciara Ennis, said there was a 'firm date' for her client to see a forensic psychiatrist on July 18. She said: 'There is absolutely no reason I can see at this point that it won't go ahead as planned.' Judge Paul Ramsey said that the case had already been listed for review again on August 1 in Belfast. He said: 'By that stage you should have the report, or at least a summary of the findings of the report. 'The prosecution will then decide what they want to do.' Ms O'Kane said the prosecution had been 'proactive' and had instructed their own psychiatrist, pending the results of the report from the forensic psychiatrist. Judge Ramsey said: 'The other thing we have to keep in mind, that we are moving towards the anticipated date of the trial, which I am anxious to maintain and keep.' Ms O'Kane said: 'There is a triumvirate of interests going on here, obviously the complainants are very keen that this matter is progressed, we have the public at large who have an interest in the case, and then there are the defendants themselves.' Judge Ramsey said: 'I think everybody should work towards that date in any event. Hopefully we will see what matters progress.' 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.
BreakingNews.ie
26-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Jeffrey Donaldson: Judge wants all sides to work towards November trial date
A judge has said he wants all sides to work towards ensuring the trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor Donaldson, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences, goes ahead in November. A previous court hearing had been told that there had been a deterioration in the medical condition of Eleanor Donaldson. Advertisement A brief review of the case at Newry Crown Court on Thursday heard that an assessment over whether she is currently fit to stand trial will take place next month. 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 3rd. Eleanor Donaldson at an earlier court hearing. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Jeffrey Donaldson (62), who did not attend the hearing on Thursday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. Advertisement The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. The charges 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. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O'Kane told the court that the hearing had been organised to ensure 'all matters are still on track'. Advertisement Eleanor Donaldson's barrister, Ciara Ennis, said there was a 'firm date' for her client to see a forensic psychiatrist on July 18th. She said: 'There is absolutely no reason I can see at this point that it won't go ahead as planned.' Judge Paul Ramsey said that the case had already been listed for review again on August 1st in Belfast. He said: 'By that stage you should have the report, or at least a summary of the findings of the report. Advertisement 'The prosecution will then decide what they want to do.' Ms O'Kane said the prosecution had been 'proactive' and had instructed their own psychiatrist, pending the results of the report from the forensic psychiatrist. Judge Ramsey said: 'The other thing we have to keep in mind, that we are moving towards the anticipated date of the trial, which I am anxious to maintain and keep.' Ms O'Kane said: 'There is a triumvirate of interests going on here, obviously the complainants are very keen that this matter is progressed, we have the public at large who have an interest in the case, and then there are the defendants themselves.' Advertisement Judge Ramsey said: 'I think everybody should work towards that date in any event. Hopefully we will see what matters progress.' Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March last year. Ireland Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse case delayed as wife '... Read More 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.
Irish Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Jeffrey Donaldson case: Judge asks all sides to work towards November trial date
A judge has said he wants all sides to work towards ensuring the trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor Donaldson, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences, goes ahead in November. A previous court hearing had been told that there had been a deterioration in the medical condition of Ms Donaldson . A brief review of the case at Newry Crown Court on Thursday heard that an assessment over whether she is currently fit to stand trial will take place next month. The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed because of Ms Donaldson's ill health. READ MORE A new trial date has been set for November 3rd. Mr Donaldson (62), who did not attend the hearing on Thursday, 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. The charges span a time period between 1985-2008, and there are two alleged victims. Ms Donaldson (59), of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O'Kane told the court that the hearing had been organised to ensure 'all matters are still on track'. Ms Donaldson's barrister, Ciara Ennis, said there was a 'firm date' for her client to see a forensic psychiatrist on July 18th. 'There is absolutely no reason I can see at this point that it won't go ahead as planned,' Ms Ennis said. Judge Paul Ramsey said that the case had already been listed for review again on August 1st in Belfast. 'By that stage you should have the report, or at least a summary of the findings of the report,' the judge said. 'The prosecution will then decide what they want to do.' Ms O'Kane said the prosecution had been 'proactive' and had instructed their own psychiatrist, pending the results of the report from the forensic psychiatrist. 'The other thing we have to keep in mind, that we are moving towards the anticipated date of the trial, which I am anxious to maintain,' the judge said. Ms O'Kane said: 'There is a triumvirate of interests going on here, obviously the complainants are very keen that this matter is progressed, we have the public at large who have an interest in the case, and then there are the defendants themselves.' 'I think everybody should work towards that date in any event. Hopefully we will see what matters progress,' the judge said. Mr 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. - PA
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Significant deterioration' in Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition, court told
There has been a deterioration in the medical condition of the wife of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has been told. A barrister said the court is waiting on an assessment over whether Lady Eleanor Donaldson is fit to stand trial later this year, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed due to Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition. Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, 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. The charges 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. A new trial date has been set for November 3. Reviewing the case, Judge Paul Ramsey said he had been furnished with three separate medical reports in respect of Eleanor Donaldson. Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson Ian Turkington KC said: 'We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration. 'Those aren't my words, those are the words you'll see from the consultant psychiatrist. 'What we don't have is any assessment in relation to her capacity (to stand trial), that is really the next step.' Mr Turkington said an appointment was scheduled with a forensic psychiatrist on July 19. Judge Ramsey said he would review the case again before the end of the legal term on June 26 and again at the start of the next term on August 1. The judge said neither defendant needed to attend court on either date. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O' Kane said she was 'keen to keep hold of the momentum' in the case. She added: 'We have lost a trial date. It is not an inconsiderable amount of time since this case first arrived in the crown court. 'We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage.' 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.
BreakingNews.ie
05-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
‘Significant deterioration' in Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition, court told
There has been a deterioration in the medical condition of the wife of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has been told. A barrister said the court is waiting on an assessment over whether Lady Eleanor Donaldson is fit to stand trial later this year, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. Advertisement The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed due to Eleanor Donaldson's medical condition. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences (Liam McBurney/PA) Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, 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. The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims. Advertisement Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies. A new trial date has been set for November 3rd. Reviewing the case, Judge Paul Ramsey said he had been furnished with three separate medical reports in respect of Eleanor Donaldson. Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson Ian Turkington KC said: 'We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration. Advertisement 'Those aren't my words, those are the words you'll see from the consultant psychiatrist. 'What we don't have is any assessment in relation to her capacity (to stand trial), that is really the next step.' Mr Turkington said an appointment was scheduled with a forensic psychiatrist on July 19th. Judge Ramsey said he would review the case again before the end of the legal term on June 26 and again at the start of the next term on August 1st. Advertisement The judge said neither defendant needed to attend court on either date. Prosecuting barrister Fiona O'Kane said she was 'keen to keep hold of the momentum' in the case. She added: 'We have lost a trial date. It is not an inconsiderable amount of time since this case first arrived in the crown court. 'We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage.' Advertisement 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. Ireland Court grants stay on suspension of TikTok data tra... Read More 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. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at or visit Rape Crisis Help.
