Delay slammed

Mr O’Dowd said: “After seven years it’s reasonable to expect the PSNI to have compiled a complete case file which they could present before any court.

"An inquest brings renewed pain and suffering for the family and any unnecessary delay in the process is unacceptable. We all know that the resources of any public body are limited but in this case the documentation has already gone through the Police Ombudsman, which completed its inquiry in 2007, and it’s deplorable that the McConville family should be subjected to any further delay.”

He concluded: “Controversy has already surrounded this case with the Ombudsman criticizing the PSNI over the deletion of related intelligence information and the refusal of a senior officers to co-operate with the inquiry.

"The failure to effectively comply with the legislative requirements of an inquest does nothing to improve public confidence in the PSNI’s ability to carry out their role of ensuring compliance with the law.”