A JUDGE has expressed concerns over the length of time currently taken for forensic reports to be provided to courts, describing the situation as “worrisome".
District Judge Peter Magill was speaking during a review hearing in the case of murdered toddler Ali Jayden Doyle, which Dungannon Magistrates Court was advised is “fast approaching” the one year mark.
The two-year-old died after sustaining what was described as an “extensive non-accidental head injury” last August 8.
Darren John Armstrong (32) of Park Avenue, Dungannon is charged with murder, while his partner, the child’s mother Jade Dempsey (25) of Sycamore Drive in Dungannon is charged with causing her daughter’s death by an unlawful act.
They are jointly accused of perverting justice by providing misleading information to police.
Despite being warned against bringing the children in contact with Armstrong, Dempsey left them in his care.
It was previously disclosed paramedics were called to Armstrong's address where Ali was found unresponsive. He claimed Ali’s baby brother hit her with a toy, causing her to fall and strike her head on the fireplace, but paramedics became concerned and contacted police and social services.
Dempsey initially claimed she went to Armstrong’s house to return a bank card and only left the children with him while she retraced her steps looking for a lost dummy. In fact she had prearranged to leave the children with him while she travelled to Belfast to purchase a pram.
Previously the court learned two specialist pathology reports are awaited, one of which was due in May and the another in July.
At the most recent sitting, a prosecuting lawyer explained the May deadline could not be met.
"One report is required to feed into the other. There is progress, but there are 13 cases to be reported on before this matter in date order. An exact date cannot be provided as all cases vary. A backlog is still being worked through due to challenging times together with a high volume of cases."
Judge Magill remarked: "We could be looking at a very long time and both accused are in custody. There needs to be a full update on when forensics will be ready. I don't know how complex this case is, but the forensics situation is becoming very worrisome. I’m concerned about the forensics situation generally, such as how long it takes for even simple things like drug or firearm analysis."
The case was adjourned for detailed update on July 15.