Judge Barney McElholm, sitting in Londonderry Magistrates’ Court yesterday, criticised the service over a delay in receiving forensic reports relating to a trial of three men for murder.

A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) told the court that some forensic reports would not be ready for another two months, despite an earlier assurance they would be ready by March.

Judge McElholm said the criminal justice system was abdicating its responsibility, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

He said: “I don’t know how they set priorities. Does a murder in Belfast take priority over a murder in Derry? Surely a murder case should be a priority.

“How they decide these things is a complete mystery. The only thing we can say is they are taking far too long.”