Julian O’NeillCrime and justice correspondent, BBC News NI
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Lady Donaldson, pictured at a previous court appearance, faces five charges relating to aiding and abetting
The sex abuse trial of the former Democratic Unionist (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been postponed due to his wife’s continuing ill-health.
Lady Eleanor Donaldson is a co-accused.
The couple, who deny a combined 23 charges, were due to have gone on trial in two weeks’ time at Newry Crown Court. It is the second time it has been put off.
No new trial date has been fixed.
Sir Jeffrey, 62, is accused of 18 offences, including one count of rape.
Lady Donaldson, 59, faces five charges relating to aiding and abetting.
They deny all the offences.
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Sir Jeffrey Donaldson – seen at a previous court hearing – is accused of 18 offences, including one count of rape
The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008.
A review of the case was heard at Newry Crown Court on Monday morning.
The trial had been due to take place on 3 November but the court was told that a medical report on Lady Donaldson is not ready.
Her lawyer, Ian Turkington KC, said: “Everybody is working as best they can to deliver on the trial date, but the medical picture is incomplete.”
He described the situation as “regrettable”.
Judge Paul Ramsey fixed another review hearing for 13 November.
He said he hoped to be able to set a new trial date at that hearing, adding it was likely to be sometime next year.
The trial was originally due to have taken place in March.
