The alleged past sex offenses case of Jeffrey Donaldson was postponed

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) head Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, will not be tried for alleged Sexual offenses that happened in the past. Trial was supposed to start on March 24, 2025, but it has been pushed back because medical exams show that Lady Eleanor is not fit to stand trial at this time.

The Allegations Against Jeffrey Donaldson

​Sir Jeffrey Donaldson came before the court for 18 historical sexual assault counts against two victims which took place between 1985 and 2008. A Northern Irish court has charged him with rape and gross indecency accounting for four cases together with 13 counts of indecent assault following a female. Lady Eleanor Donaldson has received charges for allegedly aiding and abetting her husband Jeffrey Donaldson in the historical sex crime offenses. The trial remains rescheduled because Lady Eleanor received medical expertise finding her unable to participate in the proceedings.

Charges of Aiding and Abetting Explained

​Sir Jeffrey Donaldson came before the court for 18 historical sexual assault counts against two victims which took place between 1985 and 2008. A Northern Irish court has charged him with rape and gross indecency accounting for four cases together with 13 counts of indecent assault following a female. Lady Eleanor Donaldson has received charges for allegedly aiding and abetting her husband Jeffrey Donaldson in the historical sex crime offenses. The trial remains rescheduled because Lady Eleanor received medical expertise finding her unable to participate in the proceedings.

Timeline From Arrest to Trial Postponement

​Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson received arrests at their house in March 2024 before facing historical sexual offense charges. The total number of charges against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson amounted to eighteen which included rape and gross indecency and indecent assault between 1985 and 2008. Lady Eleanor Donaldson received charges of assisting the criminal acts committed by her husband. The defendants made their not-guilty pleas when they appeared before the court in April 2024.

A justice decided in July 2024 that there existed enough evidence for the case to move forward into trial proceedings. The judicial system scheduled the trial to begin on march 24th 2025. Medical experts determined Lady Eleanor unfit to stand trial during March 2025 prompting the delay of proceedings with a review hearing scheduled on May 16 of 2025.

The Path to the Courtroom

Sir Jeffrey and Lady Eleanor Donaldson, who were arrested in March 2024, had appeared in court in April and were released on bail. The case that should go to trial will proceed after a preliminary hearing in July, when more charges were brought. They pleaded not guilty in September 2024; the trial was set for March 24 2025. Lady Eleanor was denied, in December, a request to have two charges dropped..

Eleanor Donaldson’s Medical Condition and Its Impact on the Trial

​Proceedings are deferred pending a judgement that Lady Eleanor Donaldson is medically unfit to stand trial. Medical evidence presented by her defense counsel showed that she is both ‘challenging and unchanged’ and that she is not able to participate in the trial as she is presently. The development of which prompted Judge Paul Ramsey to grant an adjournment for review in May 16 as to fitness of her trial.

Court’s Response to the Adjournment Request

​Based on medical evidence, which Judge Paul Ramsey has been told from Lady Eleanor indicates she cannot stand trial, he adjourned the trial of Sir Jeffrey and Lady Eleanor Donaldson. Newry Crown Court heard that the judge considered medical letters attesting to the fact that her condition is ‘challenging and unchanged’ from her GP. Judge Ramsey acknowledged the effect of the delay on the two vulnerable complainants and formally moved the trial from the schedule and set a review hearing on May 16 to determine whether she was fit and what action should be taken. ​

Concerns Over Delays and Complainants’ Well-being

​Because of medical evidence that Lady Eleanor was unfit to stand trial, the prosecution’s position on the adjournment of Sir Jeffrey and Lady Eleanor Donaldson’s trial is neutral. But they have raised questions about the impact of delay on the two vulnerable complainants, that the adjournment may cause emotional distress and upset to the alleged victims.

Applications to Dismiss Charges and Legal Maneuvering

​In the historical sex offenses case involving themselves and both individuals, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, the wife of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has applied to have two of her children withdrawn. On December 17, 2024, her application would have been discussed in a “no bill” hearing. But the hearing was postponed to January 23, 2025 however due to technical reasons. He added that trial should not be delayed by this and should still be scheduled to begin March 24, 2025.

How the Community and Media Are Responding to the Case

The allegations against Sir Jeffrey and Lady Eleanor Donaldson have sparked intense media coverage and public debate. The trial delay due to Lady Eleanor’s medical unfitness has added to the controversy. Northern Ireland’s Attorney General warned against potential contempt of court and stressed the need to protect the anonymity of alleged victims. This highlights the tension between public interest and legal integrity.

The trial delay due to Lady Eleanor Donaldson’s medical unfitness has added to the controversy. Northern Ireland’s Attorney General warned against potential contempt of court and stressed the need to protect the anonymity of alleged victims.