Ms Mitchell’s sister Nadine Mitchell said her family would be ‘over the moon’ the trial would finally be able to go ahead.

There had been fears the case would be delayed due to an ongoing strike by criminal barristers over legal aid fees.

The agreement came after a ‘constructive’ meeting on Sunday between Justice Minister Naomi Long and the Criminal Bar Association.

The five MLAs for North Antrim and MP Jim Allister have written a joint letter to the Criminal Bar Association requesting special dispensation.

The US-Ireland Alliance said the George J Mitchell Scholarship Programme would no longer bear the former US senator’s name.

The former US senator said it was a ‘special treat’ to return to the region for the tournament at Royal Portrush.

The veteran diplomat returned to Belfast as plans were unveiled to build a new home for a peace institute in his name at Queen’s University Belfast.