Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep’ 

 The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. 

Allison Morris was in court. 

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Donaldson trial: Jury hears complainant wrote to defendants over “secret”  

A search has begun near the shores of Lough Neagh for one of the Disappeared. 29-year-old Seamus Maguire is thought to have been killed and secretly buried by republicans 50 years ago. The search operation is on land near to his homeplace of Aghagallon, near Lurgan.  It is the first search for one of the Disappeared to take place in Northern Ireland for 16 years. 

 Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Journalist Andrew Madden. 

Dig begins for disappeared victim 29-year-old Seamus Maguire

The murder of Pat Finucane is one of the most notorious of the troubles. The 39-year-old Belfast solicitor was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in 1989 by UDA gunmen. A series of investigations revealed collusion with the state. The first hearing of a public inquiry into the killing is set to take place next month – with Sir Gary Hickinbottom as chairman of the inquiry. Pat Finucane’s family, including his son, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane, has long fought for an inquiry into the case to be opened.  

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris to preview the inquest. 

Pat Finucane: Inquiry set to begin into the Belfast solicitor’s murder  

The jury in Noah Donohoe inquest have heard a sixteenth week of evidence. 

The schoolboy was just 14 when his naked body was found in a storm drain tunnel on June 27, 2020. He had been missing for six days. 

 On Thursday, an expert witness gave testimony on the CCTV footage of Noah leaving his flat during the night before he went missing.  

Earlier in the week the jury heard that conditions in culvert where his body was found would have been “terrifying”. 

Liam Tunney is covering the inquest for the Belfast Telegraph. 

Donaldson trial: Jury hears complainant wrote to defendants over “secret”

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