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A large media contingent both locally and much further afield are set to converge on Newry Courthouse tomorrow 24 April where former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson MP is expected to appear, charged with non recent sexual offences. The court appearance is generating a major interest due to Mr Donaldsons high political profile.
The 61 year old is appearing alongside a 57 year old woman who was charged with aiding and abetting additional offences.
It's believed that preparations are in progress in Newry Courthouse to provide facilities for the large media interest. The PSNI will also have a large presence at the court with many other cases due to be heard tomorrow as well.
The public Newry Courthouse list currently has over 100 names on it for tomorrow with some of these appearing by video link but Mr Donaldson's name currently isn't mentioned as of 3.40pm with the web page saying that the court list was last updated at 10pm yesterday.
Mr Donaldson is the longest serving MP from Northern Ireland having been elected for the first time in 1997 and still remains in the post.
Following his arrest and charges made on 28 March he resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process. Mr Donaldson hasn't been seen in public since he was charged.
Following massive social media interest the PSNI pointed out that victims are given complete anonymity by law unless they choose to waive that themselves and that anyone who publishes any information which is likely to lead to the identification of victims is a criminal offence, and can be investigated accordingly. Such information also has the potential to have a negative impact on a criminal justice process.
