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Review dates set for Lady Donaldson health updates

Julian O'Neill
BBC News NI crime and justice correspondent
PA Media A close-up image of Lady Eleanor Donaldson as she walks out of court. She is an older woman with short, grey hair and is looking down. She is wearing a black, puffer raincoat and a pair of silver stud earrings.PA Media
A update on Lady Eleanor Donaldson's health, pictured leaving court in February 2025, was heard in Newry Crown Court on Thursday

A court has set two review dates to receive updates on the health of Lady Eleanor Donaldson.

She is due to stand trial in November with her husband, ex-Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, on historical sex offence charges.

Sir Jeffrey, 62, is accused of 18 offences, including one count of rape.

Lady Donaldson, 59, faces five charges relating to aiding and abetting.

The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008.

Both deny all charges.

PA Media Jeffrey Donaldson, with short grey hair, wearing a white shirt, blue tie, navy jacket and glasses. He is holding a notebook. PA Media
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Crown Court in February 2025

At Newry Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Paul Ramsey fixed review hearings for the end of this month and in August.

Neither accused is required to attend.

Their trial had originally been scheduled to begin in March, but has been delayed due to Lady Donaldson's ill health.