A couple accused of murdering a five-year-old girl are to be released from prison for her funeral service, a judge ruled today.
Nadia Zofia Kalinowska was discovered at the family's home in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim on Sunday, December 15.
The child's mother, Aleksandra Wahab, 25, and stepfather, Abdul Wahab, 31, were granted compassionate bail to attend the ceremony at an undisclosed location on Wednesday.
Nadia's body will be flown to Poland at a later date.
The pair are currently in custody jointly charged with her murder.
They also face counts of causing or allowing the death of a child, and grievous bodily harm with intent.
The husband and wife, originally from Pakistan and Poland respectively, deny all of the charges.
They claim Nadia sustained the fatal injuries when she fell down a flight of stairs at their home in the middle of the night.
Lawyers for Aleksandra Wahab want the pathologist report disclosed to establish if she has a case to answer.
Both accused sought temporary release from custody so they can be at a service in Northern Ireland for Nadia.
Following that ceremony the child's remains are to be released back to her maternal grandmother for interment in Poland.
Granting compassionate bail to both defendants, District Judge Peter Magill stressed they must remain with police at all times until their return to prison.
He also told them: "You are allowed to speak to your co-accused, provided you do so in English in the presence of police officers and you do not discuss these criminal proceedings in any way."
No child under 16 will be allowed at the service, including the couple's two-year-old son.
Mr Magill added: "This is a most unusual case, and it's with grave reservations that I entertain the application, but I bear in mind that you enjoy a presumption of innocence."
The couple are due to appear back in court in four weeks.