Date set for trial of Chloe Mitchell murder accused

The trial of the man accused of murdering Chloe Mitchell will go ahead on 9 March.

Brandon John Rainey, formerly of James Street, Ballymena, is due to go on trial at Belfast Crown Court.

It comes after the case was exempted from ongoing barrister strike action.

Chloe Mitchell was 21 when she went missing from her home in Ballymena in early June 2023.

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

Rainey was later arrested and charged with her murder.

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

A date for the trial had originally been fixed for 23 February, but barristers were granted more time to resolve issues involving witnesses and disclosure.

Speaking outside court, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe Mitchell's sister, expressed her "complete relief" at receiving a trial date.

"As you know we have been through quite a lot over the last two and a half years, but more so these past few weeks with the ongoing barrister strike," she said.

"I have no words other than full of emotion inside that doesn't seem to be coming out."

She said that the trial now being set for 9 March gave the family "more time to get prepared and get our heads around of this".

She added that she couldn't thank political representatives enough for the work they had done.

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said she had reached out to other elected representatives regarding the trial delays.

"I knew that we would be stronger together if we all pushed for this. This is bigger than politics, to actually get this family justice," Mulholland said.

"It's been a long, hard road for them but today at least they have an end date for this part of the chapter and then now they can just focus on getting justice for Chloe."

Speaking to the Northern Ireland Assembly, DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew said he welcomed the decision to exempt the upcoming trial.

However, he appealed to the justice minister to meet with the CBA and "resolve this for all the families caught up in these heinous crimes".

There is an ongoing strike in Northern Ireland organised by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) in protest over the level of legal aid fees paid to defence barristers.

It has halted almost all crown court cases in Northern Ireland involving people who require legal aid to defend themselves.

On Sunday, it was confirmed CBA representatives agreed to "exempt the upcoming trial involving the murder of Chloe Mitchell from its withdrawal of services".