Judge Paul Ramsey told Newry Crown Court he hoped to have a clearer picture early next year as to when the trial can ‘finally get under way’.

Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson face charges relating to alleged historical sex offences.

The former DUP leader and his wife face charges relating to alleged historical sex offences.

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife deny historical sex offences.

The court is awaiting a medical assessment of Lady Eleanor Donaldson.

Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson is currently receiving medical treatment, Newry Crown Court heard.

Mr Robinson said that after a difficult six months, he was pledging to rebuild the party for future elections.

During a brief court hearing, the charges were read to the Lagan Valley MP and his wife as they stood in the dock

The 61-year-old politician was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March

The former DUP leader (61) was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigned last Friday after being charged with several historical sexual offences.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said on Sunday: ‘Now more than ever, what we need to see is cohesion.’

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson quit on Friday after he was charged with historical sexual offences

The First Minister said the parties in the devolved administration are focusing on cohesion in the wake of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s shock resignation.

The deputy First Minister has expressed her shock after Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was charged with historical sexual offences.

The identity of the new leader will be key to the direction the party takes and the future of the devolved institutions.

A DUP source said a passenger had been verbally abusive towards Sir Jeffrey.

The PSNI said their investigation into the matter had now concluded

The Irish Government has announced €800 million for funding projects benefiting Northern Ireland.

Paul Givan was speaking after Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald predicated a border poll will be held before 2030.

The Sinn Fein president said a lot of preparatory work will need to be done in advance of the referenda on both sides of the border.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson thanked Rishi Sunak for his ‘dedication and leadership’ in helping to revive the political institutions at Stormont

The Unionist Voice Policy Studies group has also asked for confirmation that checks on goods destined for Northern Ireland will end.

MLAs will be at Parliament Buildings on Saturday to elect a new first and deputy first minister.

Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill pledged to be a first minister for all.

Northern Ireland political leaders met at Stormont Castle on Friday ahead of the return of devolved government on Saturday.

The DUP leader pointed to independent monitoring mechanisms built into the agreement

It comes after two pieces of legislation contained in the deal the party struck with the UK government passed through the House of Commons

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he did not think there were any ‘red flags’ in the package struck to restore powersharing.

The DUP leader said the agreement is not perfect, but he is ‘satisfied’ with the outcome

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is in Belfast to meet with Northern Ireland's political party leaders and business leaders

The loyalist activist has denied he misrepresented elements of the meeting in social media posts

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said the Stormont institutions could be back up and running within days.

The DUP leader said the word ‘betrayal’ was used in the meeting to describe whoever leaked details of events to loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson.

Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Government first had to implement agreed measures to address its concerns about post-Brexit trade.

Around 50 protesters assembled at the gates of the venue, many carrying posters and banners warning against a DUP “sellout”.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will brief members of his party’s 130-strong executive on UK government proposals on post-Brexit trading arrangements

Sinn Fein’s call came ahead of a crunch meeting of the DUP’s executive on Monday evening.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has attacked unionist critics of his attempts to reach a deal to restore Stormont.

The template letter campaign calling on the DUP to maintain its Stormont boycott is an initiative of loyalist advocacy group Let’s Talk Loyalism.

The relatively short extension suggests the Government is hopeful that progress can be made in the coming fortnight.

The DUP leader said no agreement had been reached which would allow the devolved powersharing institutions to return

No decision emerged from an internal party meeting on Friday.