Trial date set for man accused of murdering Allison Bernard
A man accused of murdering a young mother who vanished 11 years ago will face trial in 2026, with lawyers still awaiting crucial DNA evidence.
The alleged killer of a young Far North Queensland mum who vanished 11 years ago will face trial in 2026.
Thomas Maxwell Byrnes, 62, from Archer River, was committed for trial earlier this year for the alleged murder of 23-year-old Allison Bernard, who disappeared from Coen in 2013.
During a murder indictment presentation in the Cairns Supreme Court, Mr Byrnes’ defence barrister James Sheridan told the court they were still waiting on “outstanding DNA evidence” and planned to apply to the court for the jury to attend a view of the alleged crime scene in Coen during the trial.
Mr Sheridan said there was a “complete absence of DNA” where Mr Byrnes was alleged to have been sleeping at the time Ms Bernard went missing.
They were also waiting on DNA results from the quarry where Mr Byrnes was employed as a caretaker, he said.
Crown prosecutor Peter Ah Gee told the court the trial was expected to run for two weeks, possibly longer if the jury travelled to Coen to view the alleged crime scene.
“It is a circumstantial case without a body,” Mr Ah Gee said, when questioned by Justice Henry about the nature of the case.
Ms Bernard was allegedly last seen at the Archer River Quarry where Mr Byrnes worked in February 2013.
She was expected to be in Kowanyama in the days following, but never arrived.
Ms Bernard’s family released a statement in 2024, remembering her as a quiet and caring mother.
“Many do not know that Ms Bernard is a Kowanyama woman who lived all her life in her community where the Mitchell River flows into the Gulf of Carpentaria,” the statement said.
“Ms Bernard was a cheeky little girl who grew into a quiet, proud and loving mother.
“She loved to dance and to swim in the freshwater on her country.
“Her favourite flower was an orange hibiscus.
“Today we still grieve for her to come home. This has been a long sad journey for us as a family.”
Justice Henry listed the matter as the second trial in the May 18 sittings in 2026, but also for review mention on February 26, 2026, to track the progress of the first trial listed in the sittings and the DNA evidence.
Mr Byrnes has not been required to enter a plea to the charge, and made no comment when he was committed in the Magistrates Court for trial earlier this year.
He will be arraigned at the start of his trial next year.
He did not appear in court.
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Originally published as Trial date set for man accused of murdering Allison Bernard
