A new trial date has been set for two former paratroopers charged with the murder of Joe McCann 48 years ago.
The father-of-four was shot dead in disputed circumstances in Joy Street, close to his Markets home in south Belfast, in April 1972.
Soldiers A and C, whose addresses have been given on court papers as Salisbury House in London, had been due to stand trial on June 1 2021.
But at Belfast Crown Court today, Mr Justice O'Hara said that as the case was due to last up to six weeks, the date was unsuitable as he didn't want it running into the summer recess.
The senior judge also told counsels for both the prosecution and defence that there was as yet "no decline in the spread of the coronavirus'' and a vaccine would not be available until earlier next year.
He said in these circumstances it would be unfair to "order two men, who are aged 70 and 71, to come over for a six-week trial".
A prosecution QC contended that if there was agreement from the defence, much of the trial could be carried out by remote link and the defendants could attend when they wanted to.
However, Mr Justice Hara said: "Both defendants say they want to be here. They want to be present for their trial.''
The review judge fixed a new trial date of April 26 2021.
A reporting restriction banning publication of the defendants' names has been in place since the two ex-paratroopers were first charged with the Official IRA man's murder three years ago.
Mr Justice O'Hara set March 22 as the date for a hearing on their anonymity, which is expected to last up to two days.
