Jeffrey Donaldson: the former DUP leader is to appear in court on July 3
A short hearing has taken place today at Newry Magistrates Court
Last updated 12th Jun 2024
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is to appear in court again next month.
At Newry Magistrates Court today (Wednesday) a judge confirmed a hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send him to trial on historical sex charges will take place on July 3
The timing of the committal proceedings, known as a preliminary enquiry (PE), was fixed when the case against Donaldson and his co-accused, his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was briefly mentioned at Newry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Neither of the accused was in court for the short hearing but both will have to appear in person on July 3.
Lawyers for both accused, and a barrister for the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, all confirmed to District Judge Eamonn King that they would be ready for the committal proceedings to he heard on July 3. Donaldson, 61, was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.
He faces 11 charges: one of rape; one of committing an act of gross indecency; and nine of indecent assault on dates between 1985 and 2006. The offences relate to two alleged victims.
His wife, 58, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.