The defence of student Francis McDermott, who denies killing former fellow Belcoo schoolboy Oisin McGrath, have been given until the end of the month to provide a report from a top medical professor they have engaged.
Martin Rodgers QC for the 19-year-old university student, told Dungannon Crown Court that Professor Mark Wilson, of Imperial College, London, "was hopeful" of having a report within the next ten days.
Mr Rodgers told Judge Stephen Fowler QC that the top neuro vasicular expert now had all the medical information necessay and "has made substantial progress on his report". The defence lawyer added that they were also "conscious of the impact" of any further delay in the case.
Prosecution barrister Simon Reid had already voiced "the victim's family great anxiety about any delay". Mr Reid said they and the prosecution needed and wanted to know the postion before the start of the summer recess in just under a fortnight's time.
Judge Fowler said that any report from Prof Wilson must be provided to the court and prosecution by June 30 next, officially the last day of the current Crown Court term.
At a review hearing last month the Co Tyrone court was told that they had managed to attain the services of Prof Wilson after the Republic of Ireland's State Pathologist, Prof Marie Cassidy pulled out of the case. Prof Cassidy had said she believed what she was being asked to report of was "outside her field of expertise".
As in previous review hearings, McDermott was excused having to attend. He denies the manslaughter of 13-year-old Oisin, who died on February 9, 2015, fours days following the incident in the playground at St. Michael's College, Enniskillen.
The university student, from Camphill Park, Newtownbutler, who was 17 at the time of Oisin's death, is currently on his own bail of £500.