The trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson has been delayed twice due to medical issues related to her. However, a judge has made clear he will be “extremely disappointed” if the historical sexual offences trial does not proceed on May 26 as scheduled.
During a review hearing at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday, it was revealed that two further medical assessments of Eleanor Donaldson still needed to be carried out ahead of the trial date later this month. Judge Paul Ramsey acknowledged that “genuine medical evidence” remained outstanding but stated it was his “expectation rather than hope” that a trial would commence as planned.
The judge listed another review hearing for May 19 to allow all parties to assess the findings of the two additional examinations—one commissioned by the prosecution and one by the defence—and determine their impact on proceedings. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences, including one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, spanning from 1985 to 2008 and involving two alleged victims. Eleanor Donaldson, 60, faces charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.
Neither of the Donaldsons attended Tuesday’s hearing. Prosecuting barrister Rosemary Walsh KC informed the court of a position paper outlining two options for how the case could proceed if Eleanor Donaldson is deemed unfit for trial. Her counsel, Ian Turkington KC, insisted other options would need consideration, citing “cogent medical evidence” regarding her unfitness and arguing it would be “grossly unfair” to commence a trial if she was not fit to participate.
The judge noted that all parties were speaking “in a bit of a vacuum” until the medical assessments were available. He expressed strong disappointment if the case did not proceed on May 26, acknowledging the short turnaround for reviewing evidence but stating the court would have a clearer “path forward” after the May 19 hearing. He also addressed public concern over delays, emphasising that genuine medical evidence must be considered before proceeding, but urged that every effort be made to expedite matters so the trial can start as scheduled.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a former 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, just weeks after leading the DUP back into Stormont following a two-year boycott of power-sharing institutions.
