The inquest into the death of 11-year-old Robert Holohan from Midleton, Co Cork, has been adjourned.
Wayne O'Donoghue, 21, is currently serving a four-year jail sentence for Robert Holohan's manslaughter.
During the inquest, Robert's father, Mark Holohan, asked a detective involved in the investigation if he believed there was a sexual motive to the killing.
But the question was disallowed by the County Coroner, Frank O'Connell.
Mr O'Connell told the Holohans that he realised these issues were important to them but that the hearing could only look at the cause of death, and that maybe there might be an opportunity to look at these issues on another occasion.
He adjourned the inquest indefinitely after hearing evidence of identification and the cause of death.
State Pathologist in evidence
Earlier, Majella Holohan told the court that with all the evidence, it was still not known how long her son had suffered.
Detective Sgt Brian Goulding said that because the body had been exposed to the elements it had been difficult to identify and confirmation that it was Robert Holohan was made by way of dental records.
He went on to say it was not possible to establish when death had occurred.
The State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, stated that the 11-year-old had died due to asphyxia due to neck compression probably brought about by manual strangulation.
When asked, she told Ms Holohan that her son may have struggled but he would not have suffered any pain.
The Court of Criminal Appeal is due to hand down its decision on a challenge by the DPP to the leniency of the four-year sentence given to Wayne O'Donoghue.
