AN INQUEST into the death of a dissident republican murdered because he was a suspected police informant could be "derailed" a coroner's court was told yesterday.
The inquest into the death of Gareth O'Connor, whose decomposed body was found inside a car in Newry Canal in June 2005, is facing delay because his family want to see sensitive police papers which identify people linked to the killing.
The 24-year-old, pictured, disappeared in 2003 on his way to sign bail at a Dundalk Garda Station in Co Louth.
It is believed he was abducted and killed by the IRA.
Gerry McAlinden, barrister for the Coroner's Service, said naming individuals could put them at risk of death and each person had to be given an opportunity to challenge the disclosure.
"If their names may be revealed through the process of this investigation, you [the coroner] have to allow them to know in advance that such disclosure is going to take place and thereafter allow them to make representation to you in advance.
"This procedure has the potential to derail the timescale of this inquest but it is a procedure that has to be gone through."