The family of a young mum who was stabbed to death by her ex-partner in a murder suicide face a three-wait for her inquest to be heard.
Regan Tierney, 27, was found dead at her home in Walkden, Salford by her dad on June 5, 2019.
Her former partner Daniel Patten, 31, was found with critical injuries at the property on Manchester Road following her death, and died two days later.
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Police have previously stated that nobody else was involved in Regan's death and they were treating the tragedy as murder suicide.
Nearly three years on from her horrific murder, an inquest to determine the circumstances which led to her death has still not taken place.
At a pre-inquest review heard at Bolton Coroner's Court today (February 17), Senior Coroner Alan Walsh told Miss Tierney's family the case had been 'fraught with difficulties.'
It is unlikely a full inquest will be listed before the autumn of this year - over three years after Regan died.
Mr Walsh told the hearing that the case had been delayed due the sudden deaths of two senior people involved in the investigation, and a backlog due to coronavirus.
"This inquest has been fraught with difficulties - the first was the sad death of Bob Tong, a senior officer with GMP," he said.
"He suddenly and unexpectedly died after he completed his investigation."
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tong, who served with the force for 36 years, died at home in Bolton on January 4 last year.
Mr Walsh told the hearing that another Senior Investigating Officer, Duncan Thorpe, had since taken over the case.
"Julie Nicholson from the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) also sadly and unexpectedly died," Mr Walsh added.
"We also had a delay caused by the Domestic Violence Homicide Review which I received on October 19, 2021."
The review was commissioned by Salford Community Safety Partnership following concerns about Regan's contact with GMP and other agencies prior to her death.
It found that a number of opportunities to protect Regan from harm were missed by services including GMP, GP practices, Bolton NHS FT services, Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation, and Salford Royal NHS Trust.
During their 10-year relationship, Miss Tierney was subject to coercive and controlling behaviour, intimidation, verbal abuse, physical violence and threats, at the hands of Patten.
But despite disclosing that she had been the victim of domestic violence to several professionals, the review found that Miss Tierney was never referred to specialist domestic abuse services.
Mr Walsh also blamed the coronavirus pandemic for delays to the case, which has resulted in a 'large' backlog of cases.
"In this court we have been badly affected because of difficulties with accommodation and coronavirus restrictions," he said.
"We didn’t hear any inquests between March 2020 and November 2020.
"This has led to a large backlog of cases."
Mr Walsh said he expected Regan's inquest hearing to be listed in either September or October this year.
He agreed with her family and advocates in court that Patten's inquest should be held separately. His case is due to be heard in the next few months.
A further pre-inquest review for Regan Tierney is expected to take place on May 10.
