Latest news with #EleanorDonaldson
Irish Times
01-08-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Psychiatrist report on Eleanor Donaldson's health expected on Monday
A psychiatrist's report on the health of Eleanor Donaldson, who is accused of sex offences along with her husband, the former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson , is expected to be ready on Monday, a court has been told. Their trial had been scheduled for March but was postponed days before it was due to begin because of Ms Donaldson's ill-health. A fresh date for the trial has been set for November. Previous court hearings have been told Ms Donaldson was mentally unwell and under the care of a medical consultant. READ MORE A forensic psychiatric assessment to determine whether she is medically fit to stand trial took place on July 18th, Belfast Crown Court heard on Friday. The report is expected after the weekend. Mr Donaldson (62), with an address in Dromore, Co Down, has previously pleaded not guilty to 18 offences – one count of rape, four of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 of indecent assault on a female, on dates between 1987 and 2008. Ms Donaldson (59), of the same address, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of aiding and abetting in connection with the charges faced by her husband. Mr and Ms Donaldson were not in court on Friday, as neither defendant was required to attend. Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire During the brief review hearing, judge Paul Ramsey said he was 'keen to keep matters under observation so we can make sure that the trial is not interfered with'. A further review date was set for September 11th. The judge also agreed to sign a third-party application for the release of Ms Donaldson's hospital notes and records. Defence barrister Ian Turkington said the court 'would be familiar with the log jam within the [health] trusts in relation to the provision of medical notes and records' and his team had 'been trying to get these notes for months now'. He said his understanding was that without such an application, 'it's six months otherwise' to obtain the required information. 'Your Honour can obtain these notes quicker, much, much quicker,' he said. Mr Donaldson, who was the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after he was arrested and charged in March 2024. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the Northern powersharing institutions. Previous deputy leader Gavin Robinson took over as head of the DUP.
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.
