THE TRIAL OF former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Eleanor on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences is to be delayed.

At Newry Crown Court today, Judge Paul Ramsey granted an adjournment application on medical grounds after being told Eleanor Donaldson is currently “unfit to stand trial”.

The trial had been due to start on 24 March. No new date has been set.

Jeffrey Donaldson, who did not attend the hearing today, 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, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, is facing charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences, which she denies. The number of charges she faces also increased upon review from four to five.

Last month, an application to dismiss two charges facing her was submitted. 

Today, Eleanor Donaldson’s barrister Ciara Ennis told the court that she wanted to advance the adjournment application.

Newry Crown Court was told that Eleanor Donaldson is currently “unfit to stand trial”. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

She said she wanted to inform the court as soon as the “medical picture became apparent to us”.

The judge said he received two medical letters from a GP.

Ennis said: “The doctor’s opinion is that Mrs Donaldson’s condition is challenging and unchanged and that Mrs Donaldson is currently unfit to stand trial.”

She said she intended to obtain a specialist report to ascertain the full medical position.

Prosecuting barrister Fiona O’Kane said the prosecution was neutral on the issue.

“What we are concerned about is the imminence of this trial, the nature of this trial we have two vulnerable complainants who are obviously going to be emotionally affected and very upset at any ongoing delay,” Kane said. 

Judge Ramsey said: “The medical evidence in front of me suggests this case obviously cannot proceed on the 24th so I will formally take it out of the list.”

He said he would review the case again on 16 May.

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.