The DUP thread

[Brendan]

I wonder if I put out it's a sectarian head count, will Snap say it's isn't?

Unfortunately thats exactly what it is. The headcount might influence the timing of a border poll, but I think we could come up with a better measurement tool, than paying 108 clowns to deliver absolutely nothing.

It's okay there's only 90 now, they're much better value

[marty34]

I'd say they'll be a unionist pact this time. They are getting nervous so it'll happen this time with wee Seamy pulling the strings.

DUP want the 'First Minister' position back. Winning it back would be a big PR 'victory' for them. That's what they're gunning for now. You can see this is what they're gearing up for...from yesterday.

Nationalists could take aseat in Strangford and Lagan Valley maybe? But need to work together.

If they have any sense they will vote down the list anyway so a pact is counterproductive, if anything the more parties/choice the more likely people will turn out to vote just as long as they remember to then transfer wisely. The pacts only really work in the general election.

Can't see SF losing first minister position unless there is huge collapse in interest among nationalist voters

I can't see any Unionists packs in an assembly election. They will 100% do one in a Westminster election - don't rule out a UUCC style like 70s one Unionists running in each seat.

Correct me if I'm wrong folks is the DUP only one seat behind SF - I think Alex Easton once he became MP give his assembly seat to DUP even tho he was Independent.

SF don't look in any position to lose any of there seats - DUP claim they can win a seat in Belfast West. That final seat could have a say on the First Minister.

Maybe that lad who left the SDLP will stand as an Independent? He seems a good lad who does a lot of chartiable stuff so he could get a few thousand votes that could alter things.

Alternatively, the DUP will stand in West Belfast and that'll be only one unionist....so that's a pact. Same in Foyle as well. So they will be using a pact to safeguard their 'one' seat in certain areas.

[OakLeaf]

I wonder if I put out it's a sectarian head count, will Snap say it's isn't?

Unfortunately thats exactly what it is. The headcount might influence the timing of a border poll, but I think we could come up with a better measurement tool, than paying 108 clowns to deliver absolutely nothing.

It's okay there's only 90 now, they're much better value

Lol. That's how much attention I've been paying to it for this past number of years. 90 too many, still.

[Windmill abu]

I wonder if I put out it's a sectarian head count, will Snap say it's isn't?

A sectarian head count is all it has ever been. There will never be a working government in the north. Stormont was only brought back to get the unionists to agree to the Good Friday deal. The progress to a United Ireland is now inevitable and because most of the sectarian bias has been eliminated (PSNI excluded), the nationalist/catholic population are willing to wait until the numbers have made a referendum a guaranteed victory.

[Snapchap]

I mean, I can plough this lonely furrow again if I have to.

Most people vote on constitutional lines, and having a constitutional preference isn't sectarian. Ergo, not a sectarian headcount. Much and all as people here f**king love using that catchphrase, it doesn't make it true.

[Milltown Row2]

Judge rules that Eleanor Donaldson unfit for trial


Lady Eleanor Donaldson has been deemed medically unfit to stand trial.

 Along with her husband Jeffrey Donaldson, the pair face a number of alleged historic sexual offences.
The trial of the Donaldsons is due to commence before Judge Ramsay at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday.
In Court this morning, Thursday, oral medical evidence was provided by a Doctor who had examined Mrs Donaldson on two occasions, in September 2025 and May of this year.
 The Court heard that Mrs Donaldson had previously been diagnosed with suffering from chronic anxiety.
 As a result of an examination carried out by the Doctor, it was her opinion that Mrs Donaldson would be easily overwhelmed within a Court setting. 
The Doctor told the Judge that even with special measures being put in place for Mrs Donaldson she said that Mrs Donaldson couldn't engage with the material during the court proceedings due to her high levels of anxiety and it was hard to see how she could instruct her legal team.
The Doctor explained that if Mrs Donaldson was to give evidence it was highly likely she would break down and receive multiple breaks throughout the hearing which is expected to last a number of weeks.
Judge Paul Ramsay,  after hearing oral evidence and giving consideration of a number of other medical reports before the Court, ruled that Mrs Donaldson was unfit to be tried referring to the Pritchard Criteria in that the defendant would be unable to follow the course of the Court proceedings;  instruct solicitors and Counsel; and able to give evidence on her own behalf.

[JohnDenver]

Judge rules that Eleanor Donaldson unfit for trial


Lady Eleanor Donaldson has been deemed medically unfit to stand trial.

 Along with her husband Jeffrey Donaldson, the pair face a number of alleged historic sexual offences.
The trial of the Donaldsons is due to commence before Judge Ramsay at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday.
In Court this morning, Thursday, oral medical evidence was provided by a Doctor who had examined Mrs Donaldson on two occasions, in September 2025 and May of this year.
 The Court heard that Mrs Donaldson had previously been diagnosed with suffering from chronic anxiety.
 As a result of an examination carried out by the Doctor, it was her opinion that Mrs Donaldson would be easily overwhelmed within a Court setting. 
The Doctor told the Judge that even with special measures being put in place for Mrs Donaldson she said that Mrs Donaldson couldn't engage with the material during the court proceedings due to her high levels of anxiety and it was hard to see how she could instruct her legal team.
The Doctor explained that if Mrs Donaldson was to give evidence it was highly likely she would break down and receive multiple breaks throughout the hearing which is expected to last a number of weeks.
Judge Paul Ramsay,  after hearing oral evidence and giving consideration of a number of other medical reports before the Court, ruled that Mrs Donaldson was unfit to be tried referring to the Pritchard Criteria in that the defendant would be unable to follow the course of the Court proceedings;  instruct solicitors and Counsel; and able to give evidence on her own behalf.

I would imagine the vast majority of the general public would be in a similar predicament if facing such charges.

[Milltown Row2]

I don't think she'll get off with it if they are found guilty, I just think she doesn't have to show her face in court and her counsel will speak for her? I'm sure David will confirm

[Look-Up!]

Judge rules that Eleanor Donaldson unfit for trial


Lady Eleanor Donaldson has been deemed medically unfit to stand trial.

 Along with her husband Jeffrey Donaldson, the pair face a number of alleged historic sexual offences.
The trial of the Donaldsons is due to commence before Judge Ramsay at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday.
In Court this morning, Thursday, oral medical evidence was provided by a Doctor who had examined Mrs Donaldson on two occasions, in September 2025 and May of this year.
 The Court heard that Mrs Donaldson had previously been diagnosed with suffering from chronic anxiety.
 As a result of an examination carried out by the Doctor, it was her opinion that Mrs Donaldson would be easily overwhelmed within a Court setting. 
The Doctor told the Judge that even with special measures being put in place for Mrs Donaldson she said that Mrs Donaldson couldn't engage with the material during the court proceedings due to her high levels of anxiety and it was hard to see how she could instruct her legal team.
The Doctor explained that if Mrs Donaldson was to give evidence it was highly likely she would break down and receive multiple breaks throughout the hearing which is expected to last a number of weeks.
Judge Paul Ramsay,  after hearing oral evidence and giving consideration of a number of other medical reports before the Court, ruled that Mrs Donaldson was unfit to be tried referring to the Pritchard Criteria in that the defendant would be unable to follow the course of the Court proceedings;  instruct solicitors and Counsel; and able to give evidence on her own behalf.

I would imagine the vast majority of the general public would be in a similar predicament if facing such charges.

The old "sweating like a rapist" saying now an argument for defense! Twisted auld ****.

[DaleCooper]

Makes a complete mockery of people with genuine mental health concerns.

It wont absolve her if guilty of the accusations. Courts will examine the facts and sentence accordingly.

Hopefully nothing prejudical from online posters interferes with justice.

[johnnycool]

She will face a "trial of facts" according to Amanda Ferguson reporting from Newry Courthouse.

I don't know what that is but as long as justice is done.

[RedHand88]

She will face a "trial of facts" according to Amanda Ferguson reporting from Newry Courthouse.

I don't know what that is but as long as justice is done.

Looks like it's a trial without a jury, where the court looks at the evidence and determines what happened without a guilty verdict. You can be acquitted but you cannot be convicted.

[nrico2006]

So is chronic anxiety something that every sufferer is entitled to use in future to avoid trial for crimes?

[David McKeown]

So is chronic anxiety something that every sufferer is entitled to use in future to avoid trial for crimes?

The issue isn't what do they suffer from it's do they meet the Pritchard criteria.

IE have two highly qualified experts assessed that they can't


1. Understand the course of the proceedings;
2. Understand the evidence;
3. Instruct lawyers properly;
4. Challenge jurors (historically included, though now of limited practical importance);
5. Enter a plea; and
6. Give evidence in their own defence if they choose.

[playwiththewind1st]

So is chronic anxiety something that every sufferer is entitled to use in future to avoid trial for crimes?

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.