Need to know
The prosecution will deliver the opening address at Newry Crown Court.
Jeffrey Donaldson departs Newry Courthouse after the jury was sworn in for his trial(Image: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Everything you need to know
- The jury was sworn in on Tuesday to hear the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. The Trial is expected to last around four weeks.
- Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 historical sexual offences, including one count of rape, alongside allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. These charges involve two alleged victims and span a 23-year period between 1985 and 2008.
- Lady Eleanor Donaldson faces charges of aiding and abetting, which she has formally denied. She will undergo a “trial of the facts” after being declared medically unfit to stand trial.
- A trial of the facts will test the evidence in the case but cannot result in a criminal conviction. If the jury concludes that Lady Donaldson committed the offences she is accused of, the judge can make a medical order, such as committing her to hospital, subjecting her to guardianship, supervision, or a treatment order.
- Full trial proceedings and the presentation of evidence are expected to commence on Wednesday. The prosecution will deliver the opening address at Newry Crown Court.
- Judge Paul Ramsey determined that holding the trials simultaneously serves the interests of justice by remaining fair to all parties. He emphasised that this joint format will allow the sensitive and complex case to move forward as quickly as possible.
- Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigned from his position and was suspended from the DUP immediately following his arrest in March 2024. This political fallout occurred just weeks after he had successfully led his party back into the Stormont Executive.
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