Latest news with #JeffreyDonaldson
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
Metro
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Metro
The Ballymena riots are nothing to do with protecting women
Less than a year on from the far right riots that gripped England last summer, another part of the UK finds itself engulfed in a rampage of violence sparked by anti-immigrant sentiment. Several Northern Irish towns and cities have seen days of racially-motivated destruction, disorder and crime, with homes set alight, petrol bombs thrown and police officers attacked. The epicentre of the chaos is Ballymena, Country Antrim, where rioting followed initially peaceful protests on Monday evening in support of a teenage girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the area. Two teenagers appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. Though their ethnicity hasn't been officially announced by the police, they spoke through a Romanian translator in court. And much like the riots that originated in Stockport last summer when Axel Rudakubana killed three children, it is their perceived identity that is the focus of the disorder. Like that unrest, the violence has been targeted, and terrifying, not least for someone like me, a visibly Muslim woman living in the UK. Attacks have been aimed at businesses and households thought to belong to 'foreign' people, anti-immigration slogans have been chanted in the street, and rioters have even live-streamed burning someone's house. The situation is so bad that families in Northern Ireland have resorted to putting up signs clarifying their identity to avoid being considered 'foreign'. It goes without saying that we should all be outraged by the alleged attempted rape of a teenage girl, no matter who is accused of perpetrating the act. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But like last year, I'm forced to ask – is this really about the alleged victim at all? Why is it that these masked mobs only seem to care about protecting women and girls from violence and sexual assault when it's someone who isn't White British accused of the crime? There was no sign of these rioters when, for example, one of Northern Ireland's most prominent politicians, former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, was charged with 18 sexual offences including one of rape, all of which he denies. Defenders of these racist riots might argue that immigration is the root of this problem but are we really going to pretend that migrant men are uniquely responsible for the epidemic of violence against women in a way that white British people aren't? The last time I checked, our national institutions – from parliament to the police force – were riddled with instances of misogyny. Besides, if immigration was to blame then how do you explain sexual abuses of power conducted by wealthy white men in suits? Are we going to ban suits because some men who wear them abuse women? No, of course not. Because those propositions are ridiculous. Just as ridiculous as blaming racist riots on the very immigrant communities who are being targeted. Ultimately, those rioting are hiding behind the guise of protecting women to instead propagate extremism. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Those in Ballymena aren't venting their frustrations at specific immigration policy, or protesting in support of women and girls, they are enacting violence and creating disorder in the name of the kind of culture that excludes people like me. If this was actually about systemic misogyny, then we'd see mass unrest every time a famous figure, business or institution is found to have been mistreating women, something that happens with depressing regularity. Instead, when horrific things befall women and girls, our suffering is hijacked by those seeking to sow discord and ignite community tensions. Just like with the horrific murder of three little girls in Stockport last year, the unconscionable act simply became a way for people to fuel a violent anti-immigration agenda. Meanwhile the plight of the victims and their families was overshadowed. Senseless violence and mass disorder doesn't protect women. It renders entire communities unsafe and ironically it is women and children who bear the brunt of this. There have been stories of migrant mothers fleeing Northern Ireland with their children in recent days because they are so frightened of being visibly foreign amidst such aggression and hostility. Parts of Britain descending into racist chaos every time a non-white person commits or is accused of a crime destroys the fabric of what sort of country Britain claims to be: One of tolerance and inclusion. These far-right rioters positioning themselves as the great defenders of British women and girls actually do the opposite. It moves the focus away from dealing with systemic, embedded patriarchy and misogyny in our society and instead shifts resources – from media attention to police time and money – onto tackling the subsequent disorder, rather than the root cause. Plus, what sort of women and girls are they defending? Certainly not women like me, who are visibly other, and are actively rendered unsafe by this sort of violence. Everyone I know who is a visible outsider – whether through skin colour or religious dress – still has the memory of last summer's racist riots etched in their mind. More Trending It has permanently shifted the ground upon which we have built our lives in the country we thought we belonged in. The idea of the same thing once again being reignited on UK soil reminds me that people like me are never safe. All it takes is one alleged crime to be committed by someone with a foreign name or brown skin and we are all once again rendered unsafe, forced to hide away in our homes or prove our right to exist in the place we call home. And that isn't protecting anyone. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Brat summer is back: From tennis to the Euros to the Rugby World Cup, just watch as sporting queens go centre stage MORE: Doctor Who fans are convinced the show is dying – but they're wrong MORE: Sabrina Carpenter knew you'd hate her kinky album cover – that's the point
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.
