Stephen McCullagh denies murdering Natalie McNally in December 2022.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) began a withdrawal of services from all legally-aided Crown Court cases at the start of January as part of a campaign for legal aid fee increases.

The Department of Justice has so far rejected calls for mediation to resolve the dispute.

In a statement, the CBA said it has been engaging with the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland on “mitigations that could be put in place in a limited number of specific cases” affected by the withdrawal of services.

“This has involved careful consideration of individual cases and examination of evidence presented on serious extenuating circumstances pertaining to participants in the proceedings,” it said.

“The continuation of R v McCullagh follows an exemption applied by the CBA in early January to a Crown Court matter involving particularly vulnerable participants.

“The CBA will continue to work with the PPS NI to periodically review other exemption requests, with cases identified and brought to the CBA by prosecutors.

“The overriding objective of the CBA is to work with the Department of Justice to find a resolution to the longstanding issues that have given rise to the withdrawal of services.

“This work must be done with pace and purpose and a sustainable position arrived at. Only then can we ensure that all Crown Court trials are progressed, and all criminal barristers return to the Crown Court.”

A spokesperson for the PPS said: “The Public Prosecution Service recognises the deep distress caused to victims and families impacted by the ongoing withdrawal of services by criminal defence barristers, and we hope that a resolution can be found soon to get all Crown Court cases proceeding again.

“We welcome the CBA decision to proceed with this trial and the relief it will bring to the family of Natalie McNally.

“We will continue to engage with the CBA in endeavours to have additional cases exempted going forward.

“In the meantime, we are working hard to keep impacted victims and witnesses informed of any developments.”