Difficulty finding psychiatrist for murder accused, court told

There has been difficulty finding a psychiatrist to complete an assessment of the man accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell, a court has been told.

Brandon Rainey, formerly of James Street in the town, denies murdering the 21-year-old in Ballymena in 2023 and preventing the lawful burial of her remains.

The 29-year-old is on remand in HMP Maghaberry and appeared at Belfast Crown Court by videolink on Tuesday.

Defence barrister Des Fahy KC provided the court with an update regarding psychologist and psychiatrist reports.

While an instructed psychologist has completed their assessment of the defendant and a report is expected by 26 May there has been difficulty finding a psychiatrist.

The lawyer said his team had spoken to a number of psychiatrists but as yet no one had accepted taking the case on.

Fahy said this related to two issues - "the extent of papers" in the case and "competing professional commitments".

Judge Madam Justice McBride said it was "the concern of the court that this matter is dealt with as expeditiously as possible given the previous delay" but that she was aware of "a general problem with getting experts" in courts in Northern Ireland and further afield.

"I appreciate there is delay but I have been given good reasons why that delay has occurred," she said.

"It's in everyone's interest to bring finality to this."

The case is due before the court again on 29 May.

Chloe Mitchell disappeared from Ballymena in early June 2023.

Her disappearance prompted a series of extensive searches before her remains were found about a week later.

Rainey was arrested and charged with murdering Chloe between 2 and 5 June 2023.

He is further charged with attempting to prevent "the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body".