London professor to file report for schoolboy killing case

The defence team had been given until after the Easter recess to find a new medical expert after the Republic of Ireland’s state pathologist, Prof Marie Cassidy, returned the case papers, saying that she felt it was “outside her field of expertise”.

Defence QC Martin Rodgers told Dungannon Crown Court that a Prof Mark Wilson, of Imperial College London, was prepared to submit a report. Mr Rodgers said that although they were “awaiting legal aid”, the top neuro vascular expert hoped to have a report within three to four weeks.

However, this was dependent on the professor being furnished with all medical reports in the case, which are expected from the prosecution shortly.

Judge Stephen Fowler QC, while adjourning the hearing for a further review on June 16, said that if the report becomes available before then, the court should be informed.

As in previous review hearings, McDermott was excused having to attend.

He denies the manslaughter of 13-year-old Oisin, who died on February 9, 2015, fours days following the incident in the playground at St Michael’s College, Enniskillen.

The now university student, from Camphill Park, Newtownbutler, who was 17 at the time of Oisin’s death, is currently on his own bail of £500.