The process is now underway to select a jury for the trial of former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who faces a series of alleged historical sexual offences. Proceedings commenced at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday morning.
Charges and Plea
Donaldson, aged 63, has entered a plea of not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The charges encompass one count of rape, along with allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, spanning a period from 1985 to 2008 and involving two alleged victims.
Arrival at Court
Donaldson arrived at Newry Courthouse in County Down shortly after 9am, dressed in a blue suit with a white shirt and green tie. He was accompanied by his solicitor, John McBurney, who escorted him into the building. Prior to his arrival, police had erected metal barriers at the court entrance to cordon off the waiting media.
Proceedings Begin
At the start of the proceedings, when asked by trial judge Paul Ramsey if he was ready for trial, Donaldson replied “yes.” He then sat in the dock with his arms crossed, flanked by two court staff members, as the jury selection process began.
Co-Defendant
Donaldson’s wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, County Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged offending. The 60-year-old is facing a trial of the facts, not a criminal trial, after Judge Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds. This trial of the facts will test the evidence but cannot result in a criminal conviction. It will be heard by the same jury, with proceedings against both Donaldsons running simultaneously as part of one overall trial process presided over by Judge Ramsey.
Background
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. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into devolved government at Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.
