A JUDGE told Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday that he intended to raise his concerns over delays in forensic testing during a visit to the Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) laboratory this week.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, revealed that he was due to tour the FSNI’s facility in Carrickfergus as he adjourned the case of the two men charged in connection with a multiple stabbing in Lisnaskea in October.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative told the court that police investigating the incident had been informed that it would be “at least three months” before they would receive anything back from the forensics lab.

Brendan Martin Gerard McLaughlin (26), of Tempo Road, Tempo, is charged with attempting to murder Michael Fox and Conor McBarron, and causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) to Dylan Quaile with intent on October 8, 2016.

He is further charged with entering an address at Trasna Way in Lisnaskea as a trespasser with intent to inflict GBH.

The other defendant, Peter Anthony Smith (26), of Sycamore Drive, Cavanaleck, Enniskillen, is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Michael Fox with intent and entering the property in Trasna Way, Lisnaskea as a trespasser with intent to inflict GBH.

McLaughlin was led into the dock in court on Monday, while Smith appeared via videolink from Maghaberry prison.

Both men are currently serving time on remand in custody.

McLaughlin has yet to make a bail application, while his co-accused has had bail applications refused in both the Magistrates Court and the High Court.

Defence counsel, Alan Blackburn, who is representing McLaughlin, told the short hearing on Monday that his client was “strongly contesting” the charges.

Providing an update on progress in the case, the PPS representative told the court that police were waiting for forensic reports in relation to a knife and other weapons, a number of blood-stained items that had been recovered and also a vehicle that had been seized.

She said that these items had been submitted for testing a short time after the incident on October 8.

The prosecutor told the court that the FSNI had advised at the end of October that it would take “in and around three months” for the testing to be carried out.

She added that there was no target date for receipt of the forensics.

After hearing from the PPS, defending solicitor, Clive Neville, who is representing Smith, said he intended to make a fresh application for bail next week due to the “change in circumstances” in the case.

Meanwhile, McLaughlin’s barrister, Mr Blackburn, highlighted that High Court judge, Mr Justice Weir, had recently raised the issue of “serious delays” in cases due to the backlog at the FSNI laboratory.

Replying that he was “well aware” of the issue, district judge Mr Broderick revealed that he was going to do a tour of the FSNI facility this week and would take the opportunity to raise his concerns.

The judge adjourned McLaughlin’s case until Monday, December 19 and asked the PPS to obtain an updated target date for the receipt of the forensics.

He then adjourned Smith’s case until next Monday (December 5) for a possible bail application, on the condition that he was satisfied there had been a sufficient change in circumstances.