Eleanor Donaldson

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is facing charges related to alleged sex offenses, including aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault. Her trial is commencing alongside that of her husband, Jeffrey Donaldson, a former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and former Member of Parliament. The trial, which has begun in Newry Crown Court, is considered one of the most high-profile in Northern Irish history. Jeffrey Donaldson is accused of multiple sex offenses, including rape and gross indecency, over a period of 21 years. The legal proceedings have caused significant political repercussions in Northern Ireland. The trial is expected to last approximately four weeks, with a jury now sworn in to hear the case against both Eleanor and Jeffrey Donaldson.