The trial of two men accused of murdering a policeman in Co Armagh has been adjourned to next year after another defendant involved in the case tried to sack her legal team.
Former Sinn Féin councillor Brendan McConville (40) and John Paul Wootton (20), both from Co Armagh, deny murdering PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon in March 2009 and a series of other charges.
Mr Wootton's mother, Sharon Wootton (39) is accused of perverting the course of justice in relation to the subsequent police investigation of the dissident republican shooting. She denies the charge.
The trial, which was due to open in Belfast Crown Court today, was postponed after Ms Wootton applied last night to change her solicitors, who are being funded by legal aid.
Judge Lord Justice Girvan, who said he would hear full submissions on the defendant's application on
Friday, set a new trial start date of January 9th next year.
He described the "11th hour" development as "entirely regrettable" and indicated that the application would not necessarily be granted and that Ms Wootton may ultimately have to represent herself.
Constable Carroll, 48, from Banbridge, was shot dead as he responded to a 999 call in the Linsmore Manor area of Craigavon.
The murder, which was claimed by the Continuity IRA, was committed two days after two British soldiers were shot dead by the Real IRA outside an Army barracks in Antrim.
Mr McConville, from Aldervale, Tullygally, and Mr Wootton and his mother, both from Collindale, Lurgan, stood in the dock during this morning's proceedings.
Constable Carroll's widow Kate sat yards away in the public gallery.
Constable Carroll, a grandfather with over 24 years’ service with the police, was the first officer to be murdered since the changeover from the RUC to the PSNI.
His shooting, as he was responding to a 999 call near the end of his 12-hour shift, came just two days after dissident republicans murdered two soldiers outside Massareene barracks in Antrim as they took delivery of food from two pizza men.