By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
©Press Association
Today at 12:39
There has been a deterioration in the medical condition of the wife of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, a court has been told.
A barrister said the court is waiting on an assessment over whether Lady Eleanor Donaldson is fit to stand trial later this year, on charges relating to alleged historical sex offences.
The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed due to Eleanor Donaldson’s medical condition.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing at Newry Crown Court on Thursday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.
The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency.
The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims.
Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies.
"We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration. Those aren't my words, those are the words you'll see from the consultant psychiatrist" – Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson, Ian Turkington KC
A new trial date has been set for November 3.
Reviewing the case, Judge Paul Ramsey said he had been furnished with three separate medical reports in respect of Eleanor Donaldson.
Barrister for Eleanor Donaldson Ian Turkington KC said: “We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration.
“Those aren’t my words, those are the words you’ll see from the consultant psychiatrist.
“What we don’t have is any assessment in relation to her capacity (to stand trial), that is really the next step.”
Mr Turkington said an appointment was scheduled with a forensic psychiatrist on July 19.
Judge Ramsey said he would review the case again before the end of the legal term on June and again at the start of the next term on August 1.
The judge said neither defendant needed to attend court on either date.
Prosecuting barrister Fiona O’Kane said she was “keen to keep hold of the momentum” in the case.
"We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage" – Prosecuting barrister Fiona O'Kane
She added: “We have lost a trial date. It is not an inconsiderable amount of time since this case first arrived in the crown court.
“We have five full months now until the trial … we want to make sure the court is kept appraised at every stage.”
Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March last year.
He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged.
Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.
Previous deputy leader Gavin Robinson was appointed his successor as DUP chief.
by pickneyboy3000
34 comments
> We have put that medical evidence in place and sadly you will see there has been a significant mental deterioration. Those aren’t my words, those are the words you’ll see from the consultant psychiatrist”
I’m not fuckin’ surprised. Them’s consequences catching up, Lady Eleanor.
I’d say with all that demure dignity she can muster that Ben Lowry so admires, she’ll be braving fit to stand trial, though.
So what happens if she’s deemed unfit to stand trial?
Being in Jeff the paedo’s presence would also make me very sick.
But she’s just putting it on, Pinochet style
deny, delay, dementia, death.
seems familiar, to millions
The cunt still smiled for the cameras when attending court for the first time over this. Wee guilty conscience there, Eleanor? Hope it fucking haunts you ’til your last breath.
Playing the old mental health card.
We see you Eleanor. We saw the smirking face repeatedly turning up to court previously.
Court by it’s very nature is stressful and the stress and mental health issues most likely situational. People get stressed no more than the alleged victims particularly in these cases.
Pop her a few diazapam and stick her in the box.
Truly abhorrent individuals.
Assisting your husband with sex crimes will do that to you, I guess. This is the one instance where I have zero sympathy for mental health problems. Get her on the stand.
Bollocks there is! This is clearly a scam designed not to go to court. It’s about as advanced as a kid pretending to have a warm forehead to get out of going to school.
Fuck this pair of grifting pervert cunts.
The aul Weinstein defence.
You would think she would be eager to face her accuser/accusers in a court of law to prove her innocence…
So does Johnny Public who kills someone with his car, or with a drunken punch , get to plead that he’s too sad and mentally upset to face a judge and jury? Anyone can have a crack at this can they?
The above aside and speaking generally..
When an individual allegedly opts to suspend a basic code of decency or ethics so as to not to “let down the respective front” concerned or tarnish an outward image of a supposed “perfect family”.. (and there have been chilling/ disturbing examples of the aforementioned behavior across all legacy backgrounds to one degree or another..) .
It’s not necessarily unwelcome news (to a number of observers) to learn they’re feeling a prick of something resembling the rigors of conscience ..coming back to bear..
Although feigning mental health issues can be a ploy to gain leniency – it’s for a qualified professional to ascertain legitimacy.
The alleged victims of these types of crimes have been handed a life sentence of sorts. A sentence that could’ve been averted or mitigated through the intervention of those who allegedly knew but opted not to act..
It’ll be interesting to observe how the above case plays out.
Everyone who commits a serious crime such as those she has been accused of clearly has a mental condition
Just because she’s white and privileged she’ll get off and go hide in a hole like Iris “The GILF” Robinson
Getting caught will do that dirt bird
As Bon Scott said, a touch too much.
Scumbag Jeff and his wee fish badge.
Haven’t been able to get physiotherapy for over four years.
Haven’t been able to use sick or fit notes to get my life corrected, no matter how many doctors provide.
Yet this horrible abusive woman can play a medical card to get out of a court case which has been established by police detectives?
That’s fucked up.
What an awful country we are in where doctors help this bitch delay trail for her and her alleged rapist husband while the rest of us can’t even get an appointment or proper medication.
Awk.
Anyway.
I guess we never get to see any detail in the report? We’re all supposed to sit back and say we should ease off. You’ve been charged, is that stressful?? How does anyone else feel attending court?? Weak.
I don’t give a fuck to be honest.
Oh sorry I can’t be held accountable now because i am going somewhat dotty
Jog on
All these poor dears realising they’re non functional before they stand trial it’s such a cosmic coincidence. They all manage to go about their lives just fine until then.
Going for the British government legal defence route of deny, delay and death then for collusion and other crimes?
Get these sick shitheads into court. Genuinely pathetic how they’re trying everything to avoid justice.
Playing the mental health card, no doubt.
She’s going to get away with it. There’s a precedent for a DUP leader’s wife using ‘mental health issues’ to avoid legal repercussions over serious charges.
Hope the oul bitch suffers
https://preview.redd.it/g1rzfubt145f1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=2b1a13f3056d8baf7ce4388f853b8d99c804254a
That’s what happens when you’re facing the consequences of your actions. It’s not nice. Your mental health will be tested. Get her on the fucking stand.
A guilty conscious would take its toll alright
So she can rely on the Fawlty Towers defence, “I know nothing.” Timing is just a massive coincidence, I suppose. 🤔
Would a medical professional use the word “sadly” there has been a deterioration? Surely it would be kept to non-emotive factual language? This is a weasel lawyer, trying to introduce emotive language – poor Eleanor – get to the depths of hell Eleanor that’s where you belong alongside your shitbag husband.
I imagine they’ve been shopping around for a ‘friendly’ expert. I’d be very interested in finding out how many experts have assessed her condition and if the prosecution has had the chance for an expert or two to have a go.
They all use the sick card..
Bring puplic hanging back
if she isnt fit to stand trial then lock her in holywell until she is
Conveniently enough
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