Strabane Magistrates Court deferred the preliminary enquiry for Dylan McCrossan on Thursday. McCrossan, 32, from Beechmount Village, faces charges of murdering Stephen Holmes on February 8, 2025. He also faces charges of possessing pregabalin and cocaine on February 3, 2025.

Defence counsel Aaron Thompson requested the postponement. Solicitors Madden and Finucane received prosecution papers the prior Friday. Thompson said the defence required additional time to examine the material after the Public Prosecution Service spent a year preparing the case.

District Judge Alana McSorley directed the PPS and PSNI to provide an explanation on document service and communication failures. She noted the PPS informed her on February 12 that the hearing remained scheduled. McSorley stated she expected the enquiry to proceed that day.

A large number of Holmes's family members attended the court session. Thompson apologised to the court and the family. He described the case as grave and pledged efforts to advance it.

The court rescheduled the preliminary enquiry for April 16. McCrossan remains in custody at Maghaberry Prison.