Lawyers were strongly critical yesterday of delay in the so-called "Stormontgate" case involving an alleged IRA spy ring.
One solicitor said the delay in fixing a date for committal proceedings was "inordinate", and another threatened legal action if the matter was not expedited.
In the dock at Belfast Magistrates' Court were Mr Denis Donaldson (53), a senior Sinn Féin official, of Altnamona Crescent, Belfast; his son-in-law, Mr Ciaran Kearney (32), of Commedagh Drive, Belfast; and Mr William Mackessy (45) a former Stormont porter, of Wolfend Way, Ligoniel, Belfast.
They are on High Court bail after spending some time in custody on a charge of possessing documents useful to terrorists.
More than 1,000 documents were seized following police raids at the Sinn Féin office at Stormont and at homes in various parts of Belfast.
The documents included a sketch of Parliament Buildings, confidential government papers and personal details about a senior army officer, a policeman and prison officers. In court yesterday a DPP lawyer applied for a further remand of four weeks, but defence solicitors objected.
Mr Joe McVeigh, for Mr Kearney, said there had been an inordinate delay in processing the case. He said forensic examinations were completed in March but had still not been disclosed to the defence.
"The forensic results are extremely pertinent as the entire prosecution case hinges on them," he said.