The coronial inquest into William Tyrrell's disappearance has been halted because of the coronavirus crisis without hearing from convicted pedophile and key person of interest Frank Abbott.
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The hearing at Taree Local Court was scheduled to conclude on Friday but the final two days have been postponed in an attempt to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Abbott, who has watched the proceedings from Cessnock Correctional Centre via video link and is representing himself, was one of 38 people included on the witness list.
However, the court is yet to hear his testimony.
The inquest on Wednesday again focused on Abbott and his relationship with another NSW mid-north coast local, Ray Porter.
Three-year-old William disappeared from his foster grandparents' home in Kendall in September 2014.
The court previously heard Mr Porter, who has since died from kidney failure, told an aged care home nurse in 2019 that he had given a lift to his "mate" and a "little boy" and driven them 300 kilometres north.
Mr Porter and Abbott were known to be friends and fishing buddies.
Another nurse from the same facility, Uniting Mingaletta Port Macquarie, on Wednesday gave evidence that she was left feeling sick to her stomach after hearing Mr Porter reference a "little boy".
Renee Jenner said that in July last year Mr Porter - whose health was declining - had made a passing comment before being hushed by a family member who was standing at his bedside.
The incident occurred when Mr Porter was in his room with his brother, Tom, and sister-in-law Irma.
When told the family had to attend court, Ray asked whether it was concerning the "little boy".
Ms Jenner testified that at that point the lady who was standing beside Mr Porter had attempted to "rouse on him" as if he was a "small child".
"The lady then said, 'No no no, just leave it, I told you many times, just leave it'," Ms Jenner said on Wednesday.
The incident made her want to vomit and left a "sick feeling in my stomach".
Irma Porter testified she and her husband were set to go to court to be declared guardians over Mr Porter's affairs.
She claimed Mr Porter was just days from death and his mind was "muddled".
Having been repeatedly interviewed by police investigating William's disappearance, she said he became upset by the topic.
She said Mr Porter had only been able to tell police about an incident in which he and Abbott were fishing and they shooed away a "little boy and girl".
"It was just a little boy and girl and he told them to go home," Ms Porter said.
Asked about Mr Porter's relationship with Abbott, Ms Porter said she had the impression her brother-in-law was scared of him.
It's not known when the inquest, before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame, will conclude.
A directions hearing has been scheduled for June 1 and the coroner emphasised the police investigation was still ongoing.
The court heard on Wednesday that fresh leads had been uncovered by the inquest and new witnesses could be called.
"Nothing in relation to this matter I consider to be a cold case," Ms Grahame said.
"It's an ongoing investigation, it's continuing, I'm happy to indicate that."
Abbott is among hundreds of "persons of interest" in the Tyrrell investigation.
No one has been charged over the boy's disappearance.
Australian Associated Press
