Overview
- A judge ruled on Wednesday that Eleanor Donaldson is unfit to face a normal criminal trial because medical evidence found she is severely depressed, suicidal and cannot follow or take part in proceedings.
- The court ordered a trial of facts for Eleanor Donaldson, a process in which a jury decides whether the alleged acts occurred but which cannot lead to a criminal conviction.
- Judge Paul Ramsey has scheduled jury selection for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s criminal trial to begin on Tuesday May 26 and has ruled the two procedures will run simultaneously.
- Sir Jeffrey Donaldson pleads not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape, while the couple together face 23 historical allegations said to involve two complainants from 1985 to 2008.
- The outcome will affect how evidence is presented and may influence timing, victim testimony and political fallout given Sir Jeffrey’s former role as DUP leader and MP for Lagan Valley.