Bid to dismiss charges against Eleanor Donaldson delayed again
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An application to dismiss two charges facing Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife in the historical sex offences case involving them both has been delayed again. During a brief review hearing at Newry Crown Court, Judge Paul Ramsey said he did not want the latest delay to interfere with the scheduled start of the trial at the end of March.
Former DUP leader Donaldson, 62, has pleaded not guilty to 18 offences. The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. His wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting.
She has entered not guilty pleas to three charges ahead of the March trial but her defence team has applied to have two other charges against her withdrawn. The no bill application to dismiss the two charges was originally due to be heard in December, but was rescheduled.
Eleanor Donaldson’s barrister, Ian Turkington KC, told the court on Thursday that “for reasons that the court and the prosecution are aware of, this application unfortunately cannot proceed this morning”. Judge Ramsey said he had received written arguments in the application, but added he had to hear oral arguments.
He said: “I don’t want to interfere with the trial date.”. Mr Turkington said he was not in a position to say when the application could proceed, but hoped it could be dealt with in the “short term”. Judge Ramsey said: “The trial will be preserved. I don’t think there is any danger of the trial not proceeding, but I would like to get this matter dealt with.”.
