The lack of legislation to force witnesses to give evidence to a coroner's court has again been highlighted.

Just as in the continuing Princess Diana Inquest in London, where French photographers refused to attend and give evidence, Northern Ireland's senior coroner has also been frustrated in a local case.

As in the London court, he is now also calling for extra powers to compel witnesses to attend inquests.

Coroner John Leckey was speaking at the inquest this week into the death of murdered ex-UDA leader Jim Gray, 47, after one of the witnesses failed to turn up.

Mr Leckey said coroners could not issue bench warrants and added: "It makes a mockery of an inquest when... a key witness cannot be compelled to attend," noting that coroners could only fine those who ignored witnesses summonses.

During the case, Mr Gray was described as "a very well known and prominent member of the UDA in east Belfast" who had a reputation for dressing flamboyantly and wearing heavy gold jewellery – which earned him a number of derisory nicknames including 'Doris Day' and the 'Brigadier of Bling'.

He was expelled from the leadership in March 2005 and shot dead outside his father's home at Knockwood Park, Belfast, later that year.

Detective Inspector Deborah McMaster told the inquest she believed those responsible for the murder to be members of the UDA.

However, she said despite a number of arrests no one had been charged: "The inquiry has more or less come to a dead end," she said.

The paramilitary had been living with his father since being freed on bail on money laundering charges.

The inquest heard Gray had been shot twice in the body with a Magnum revolver causing massive internal haemorrhaging.

Recording that Gray had been killed by two bullets in the trunk, the coroner said: "It was carefully planned and ruthlessly executed."

(BMcC)