'Try or release Finucane accused'

Pat Finucane was killed by loyallists in his home in 1989

An ex-police informer accused of murdering Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane should be put on trial or the charge should be withdrawn, his solicitor has said.

William Stobie, 48, from Forthriver Road, Belfast, was charged last June with murdering the Belfast solicitor in his home in 1989.

William Stobie: Only man charged with Finucane murder

Released on bail last September Mr Stobie appeared in court on Wednesday to hear his solicitor Joe Rice complain about a delay in dealing with the case.

Objecting to a further remand of his client, Mr Rice said he had consented to a two-month remand on 12 January on the basis that substantial progress would be made in the case.

"So far we have no evidence of that progress," he said.

Crown counsel Gordon Kerr, QC, said he had only received the case papers two to three weeks ago.

He said it was a complex matter and following a consultation with a witness he was preparing an opinion for the Department of Public Prosecutions.

The Crown counsel asked for a four-week remand but said he could not guarantee a decision on that date regarding prosecution because the papers would have to go to the Attorney General in England.

Mr Rice asked why senior counsel had not been engaged earlier and added that the bulk of the evidence had been in existence for eight or nine years.

"Either the evidence exists or it does not.

"The charge should be prosecuted in as efficient a manner as possible or it should be withdrawn," he said.

Resident Magistrate Harry McKibbin said he was concerned about the delay.

He granted an adjournment until 5 April and said he would monitor the situation.