A decision to formally prosecute a Portadown man accused of murdering a man in south Armagh will not be taken until an outstanding pathology report is presented, a court has heard.
Father-of-two Brian Phelan, from Bessbrook (pictured), was found dead on a rural spot along the Carrivekeeney Road on July 26, last year.
The 33-year-old was the victim of a fatal stabbing, for which Daniel Carroll, 27, of Edward Street, Portadown, stands accused.
On Wednesday, Newry Magistrates’ Court heard how a pathology report and forensics in the case remained outstanding and that prosecution could not make a formal decision to prosecute Carroll until those were made available.
Carroll was remanded back into custody to appear again on January 9.
Mr Phelan’s death shocked the rural Co Armagh community with his mum Angela describing him as “caring and compassionate person” who “had the most wonderful smile which always lit up the room”.
