The sister of a girl murdered by her partner who then went on to take his own life has said she “cannot grieve properly” as a result of multiple delays in securing an inquest into the death.

Regan Tierney was killed by Daniel Patten in Walkden in June 2019.

A Home Office report into the death has said there were “missed opportunities” to prevent the murder – but more than three years on an inquest has not gone ahead.

Another pre-inquest review took place at Bolton Coroners Court during which Emma-Louise Fenelon, representing the family, hit out at the delays which had taken place.

She said: “There has been an inexplicable lack of progress in the last 12 months.

“It has been most testing for the family members.

“In the past there have been deadline set down and not met.

“No explanation has been provided to the family by any of the interested parties for this.”

Caroline Jones, representing Greater Manchester Police, stressed that the force had met every deadline.

Coroner Peter Sigee apologised on behalf of the coronial service for the delays which had taken place.

He ordered that all documents be submitted to him by June 9 and fixed another pre- inquest review for September 6.

After this he asked people to check their availability between December and April for the final hearing which is expected to last for three weeks.

However after the inquest the family said they remained frustrated by the lack of progress.

Shannon Tierney, the sister of Regan who has taken care of her two children, said: “We can’t grieve properly.

“You are floating through life, six months pass by, you are starting to get a bit of normality then you are hit with going to a pre-inquest review.

“We want it for Regan and for her two children.”

During the course of the hearing she said Regan’s phone had been returned to the family by the police.

She said it was broken and no explanation had been given for this.