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Criticism over McConville inquest delay

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Neil McConville
Image caption,

Neil McConville was shot three times

A lawyer for the family of a man shot dead by the PSNI near Lisburn in April 2003 has criticised the police for holding up the inquest.

She told a preliminary hearing at Belfast Coroner's Court there was no justification for delaying Neil McConville's inquest.

The PSNI has not yet examined documents which may need to be blacked out before the case proceeds.

Mr McConville, 21, was killed as he tried to evade police in a car.

An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found police were justified in opening fire.

A barrister for the police said the PSNI's resources were not "limitless" as there were several legal cases into disputed deaths under way.

A lawyer for Mr McConville's relatives claimed the delaying of the hearing was a breach of their human rights.