Eleanor Donaldson’s bid to have two charges withdrawn to be heard in December

Eleanor Donaldson arriving for an arraignment hearing at Newry Crown Court in September Picture: PA

An application to dismiss two charges facing Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife in the historical sex offences case involving them both is to be heard in December, a court has been told.

Former DUP leader Donaldson, 61, has already pleaded not guilty to 18 offences and he is due to face trial in March next year.