An application by the wife of the former DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, to drop two charges against her linked to his alleged sexual offending, has been adjourned.
Eleanor Donaldson is currently facing five charges including aiding and abetting her husband who is accused of a series of sexual offences, including one count of rape.
In September, 58-year-old Ms Donaldson pleaded not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting.
Her defence team has made an application to have two other charges withdrawn but the case was adjourned until today.
The case came up again at Newry Crown Court this morning, and neither of the Donaldsons appeared in person.
The court heard lawyers were not in a position to proceed with the application to drop the two charges.
Judge Paul Ramsey said he would deal with the matter as soon as possible with the expectation that there would be progress in the matter next week.
There was consensus across prosecution and defence lawyers that the short delay would not push back the trial date, which has been fixed for late March.
A lawyer for Ms Donaldson said all parties were keen to stick to the trial schedule.
Mr Donaldson, 62, has pleaded not guilty to 18 sex offence charges, including one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 charges of indecent assault.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2008 and involve two alleged victims.
