A JUDGE has expressed concerns over the delay of a post mortem report in a murder investigation, contending he thought it would have been a priority.
The remarks were made at East Tyrone Magistrates Court during video-link appearances for Niall Cox (23) and his partner Karen Marie McDonald (33) both from McCrea Park, Clogher.
Cox is originally from Sligo, and prior to moving to Tyrone, resided in Kesh, County Fermanagh.
They are jointly charged with murdering Pat Ward, (30) a married father of four children, all aged under 11.
His body was discovered in a Clogher alleyway on the morning of morning of February 9, having died in what has been described as a brutal, frenzied attack.
Originally from Sligo, Mr Ward is understood to have only recently moved to the Clogher area. He was a member of the Travelling Community and a champion boxer.
As in all previous reviews of the case Mr Ward’s widow, mother a other family members sat quietly in the public gallery, listening intently to proceedings.
A prosecuting lawyer advised the case is “clearly close to a decision” as a specialist forensic fingerprint report has now been received.
However the post-mortem report remains outstanding.
Defence lawyers were perturbed on the delay pointing out this report was expected in June but did not materialise.
District Judge Mark McGarrity remarked, “I would have though the post-mortem report would have been a priority.”
He decided to re-list the case for mention on a weekly basis to keep the position under review.
Both accused remain in custody and no application for bail has been sought for either to date.