PROSECUTORS have failed in a High Court bid to block the release from custody of a father and son accused of killing a relative at a family wedding.
Mr Justice Burgess dismissed the appeal against bail being granted to Patrick and William McGinley, aged 46 and 27, after predicting any trial might not get underway until 2017.
Both men are charged with the murder of 63-year-old Bernard McGinley, a member of the Travellers community, in Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh on February 11.
The victim was shot dead in front of his wife outside St Mary's Church where the wedding ceremony was to take place.
William McGinley is also charged with the attempted murder of the dead man's son, Bernard McGinley Jr.
The two accused, both from Lisfarrell in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, must each put up a £50,000 cash surety as part of their release conditions.
The killing is allegedly linked to a wider dispute within the McGinley family.
Prosecutors mounted a High Court appeal following a magistrate's decision to grant bail to the father and son.
Barrister Stephanie Boyd claimed there was a risk of further offences due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Referring to Patrick McGinley, she said: "The applicant himself has asserted there's been significant incidents of serious violence within his wider family."
Although the murder weapon has not yet been recovered, the court heard that gardaí are carrying out examinations on a gun in their possession.
Desmond Fahy, defending, hit out at the pace of the police investigation, describing progress made to date as "lamentable".
He cited a series of alleged attacks on Patrick McGinley and his family since the killing.
Shots were fired at a relative's house in March, while McGinley's wife was targeted in a gun attack two months later, it was claimed.
Mr Justice Burgess was told the defence "strongly suspect" the same weapon was used in each incident.
Ruling on the application, the judge acknowledged the scale of the ongoing police inquiries.
However, in his assessment it will be 2016 and possibly even early 2017 before any trial begins.
Backing the decision to grant bail, Mr Justice Burgess ordered that both accused must report to police daily.
He ordered them to live at an address in Northern Ireland approved by police and surrender passports.
