A cloudier start in Newry signalled the beginning of the end of the mini-heatwave, as day four of the Jeffrey Donaldson trial got underway behind the beige walls of the town’s imposing courthouse.
Although the former DUP leader and erstwhile Lagan Valley MP had earlier stepped out of his car into a comfortable temperature outside the building, conditions in Court Number 1 itself were distinctly cooler than the intense heat of the trial’s opening days.
Bespectacled and neatly fitted in his dark suit, on Friday sporting a golden tie adorned with white spots, Mr Donaldson silently awaited the start of Friday’s proceedings, cutting a lonely figure despite being flanked closely by two security guards.
Amid the quiet murmurs of the courtroom, with a full press bench and overflow seating for the media preparing for a second day of live evidence from one of his two accusers, Donaldson sat with his arms folded, often looking lost in thought.
Jeffrey Donaldson leaves Newry Crown Court with his solicitor John McBurney at the end of the first week of his trial. PICTURE ALAN LEWIS
Judge Paul Ramsey arrived and upon his request, the jury returned to their individual seats to Donaldson’s right, ready to hear more in a case based on 18 charges denied by the man who was one of the most influential political figures in modern unionism’s history.
As on the three preceding days of the trial, a key figure in this case, Eleanor Donaldson, was not present. Unlike her husband, she faces a trial of facts on five charges of aiding and abetting his alleged offences and she cannot be found guilty or be jailed.
Snapping into focus on the central screen above the judge’s bench was the figure of Complainant A, as she prepared for another round of cross-examination from defence barrister, Kieran Vaughan KC.
What followed was a tense morning, with tough questioning, firm rebuttals, and only very occasional tears as the woman answered what was put to her by the senior lawyer.
Jeffrey Donaldson’s trial for alleged historical sex offences is being held at Newry Crown Court. PICUTRE LIAM MCBURNEY
Harrowing testimony of a specific alleged assault was heard, returning to aspects of the previous day’s evidence.
Complainant A firmly insisted at one point that a question put to her by the KC had already been dealt with the previous day, and “the answer remains the same”.
At one point, she requested the barrister “reword” a question “in a less patronising way”.
Another difficult exchange occurred, relating to a second alleged assault discussed the previous day, which Mr Vaughan said the complainant was “confused about what you had seen”.
She replied, but not entirely reflecting the KC’s meaning: “To this day I’m confused, and I’m honest about that.”
As on the previous day, Mr Donaldson listened to the exchanges intently, occasionally dipping his head to take notes in a bound pad at points throughout.
He remained still and watched the screen as deeply personal claims not directly related to his charges, including of a suspected affair that led to his wife planting a listening device in his car, were dissected.
The defence barrister guided the jury through a large evidence bundle, highlighting snippets upon which he questioned the complainant.
Judge Ramsey intervened briefly at one stage, urging the complainant not to “anticipate” questions, after she stated she knew exactly what her cross-examiner was going to discuss, prompting her to apologise.
A now blue sky flickered behind the blinds of the courtroom’s high windows, moved by a gentle breeze as the afternoon session continued, suggesting the spell of good weather was not quite ready to give up the ghost.
Following the lunch break, the complainant spoke of her decision in coming forward with her accusations, stating how she knew “this wouldn’t be a normal case because of who he is”, adding: “I knew this would be an extremely public affair…”
She said she was “extremely anxious” in reporting the allegations that called time on one of the most distinguished political careers Northern Ireland has known.
Questions from Mr Vaughan were concluded, but Complainant A is not yet finished giving evidence, as on Monday she will face further cross-examination, this time from Ian Turkington KC, who is representing Mrs Donaldson.
Judge Ramsey decided to close proceedings early, allowing a weekend break between the questioning from both barristers.
He said it would not be fair to “prolong” the afternoon for the witness and the “weary” jury as their first week drew to a close.
The judge said the two days would be a “breather” in which they could “recharge”, but warned them not to discuss the case outside of the court, even advising them to stay off social media altogether if they can.
He promised them even cooler conditions upon their return as the “fine weather is coming to an end”, before they departed, and the court rose for the day.
Clutching his notepad to his body, Donaldson thanked one of his security guards, and quickly made his exit, alone, through the main doors to the courtroom.