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A massive media presence was outside Newry Courthouse today for the arrival of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP and his wife Eleanor to face charges concerning historic sexual offences. Sir Jeffrey resigned as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after being charged in March.
Mr Donaldson appeared calm as he arrived by car at the courthouse around 9.30 this morning. Sitting in the back seat, unusually the window was fully down allowing some of the gathered photographers to get a photograph. A line of police officers guided him to the door of the courthouse.
In court he faced eleven charges including rape, gross indecency involving a child and nine counts of indecent assault. The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2006.
Lady Eleanor Donaldson faces four charges aiding and abetting. The couple were both released on bail.
Mr Donaldson appeared to leave the courthouse prematurely as his car was not there to collect him. This resulted in him being surrounded by media, onlookers and police before he was ushered back into the courthouse again briefly with the car on hand the second time.
