The case against a man accused of murdering four people in a fire in Derrylin last year has been delayed again with the prosecution telling Fermanagh Magistrates court this week that the investigating officer is “snowed under” with work on other trials.

Daniel Allen, with an address of Molly Road Derrylin, appeared via video link with the prosecution also revealing that they were “not confident” that a March 11 date for a preliminary enquiry can be met.

Defending solicitor, Gary Black, stated that there had been “considerable slippage” in this case and that in November it was stated by the prosecution that a “decision was expected in December but that now we had reached February”.

At present Allen is charged with four counts of murder against persons who are “currently unidentified” and one count of arson endangering life with intent. These charges are holding charges with the public prosecuting service still to put the final charges “on the system” according to the public prosecutor who appeared in court this week.

A frustrated District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that he wanted an “explanation as to why the charges have not been entered if a decision has been made”. Mr. Ranaghan also kept the March 11 date for a preliminary enquiry.