Trio on trial for murder of journalist Lyra McKee

The trial of three men accused of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry five years ago has begun.

Peter Cavanagh, 35, of Mary Street in Derry; Jordan Devine, 23, of Bishop Street; and Paul McIntyre, 56, of Kells Walk have all been charged with murder.

Lyra McKee died after being struck by a bullet while observing rioting in Creggan in April 2019.

The New IRA admitted responsibility for the 29-year-old’s murder.

Belfast Crown Court heard that four gunshots, fired that night by a masked man, “were the culmination of orchestrated disorder”.

It was also shown footage of an MTV documentary that was being filmed in the area on the day Ms McKee was killed.

The three accused face a number of other charges, including possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent, as well as possession and throwing of a petrol bomb.

Mr McIntyre is additionally charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.

Seven other men from Derry are facing trial on a number of charges including rioting and throwing a petrol bomb.

They are: Joseph Patrick Barr, 38, of Sandringham Drive; Jude McCrory, 26, of Gartan Square; William Patrick Elliott, 57, of Ballymagowan Gardens; Joseph Anthony Campbell, 23, of Gosheden Cottages; Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 32, of John Field Place; Kieran George McCool, 55, of Ballymagowan Gardens; and Christopher Joseph Gillen, 43, of Balbane Pass.

A number of family members and friends of Ms McKee, including her partner Sara Canning, were present in court when prosecutors opened their case against the men.

A Crown barrister told Judge Patricia Smyth that Ms McKee was shot and killed in the Fanad Drive area of Creggan at about 23:00 BST on 18 April 2019.

The barrister said she was standing near police Land Rovers, which were in the area due to searches being conducted at a nearby address, when four gunshots were fired in her direction.

The shots were "a culmination of orchestrated disorder", the court heard, during which police Land Rovers were attacked with petrol bombs and stolen vehicles were set on fire.

The gunshots were fired by a masked man standing at the corner of Fanad Drive and the southern part of Central Drive, and he was accompanied by a number of men who intentionally encouraged or assisted him, the court further heard.

"The prosecution contend that three of those men were Paul McIntyre, Jordan Devine and Peter Cavanagh," the barrister added.

The prosecution lawyer said the remaining seven defendants "are charged with participation in, or intentional encouragement of, the disorder".

He added that Mr McIntyre, Mr Devine, Mr Gillen and Mr Campbell are further charged in respect to an incident which occurred two days before, on 16 April, when petrol bombs were thrown at police and IRA graffiti was painted on a nearby building.

Before the hearing rose for lunch, MTV video footage was played to the court.

In the footage, TV presenter Reggie Yates spoke to members of Saoradh - a group that has been described as the political wing of the New IRA - as part of a documentary.

Defendants Patrick Gallagher and Jude McCrory - described in court as "the principle contacts for the production company" - met Mr Yates in Creggan then took him to the party's office in Chamberlain Street.

The men discussed their political views, their opposition to "British Crown Forces" in the city and events from history linked to the IRA.

Footage from the documentary also featured Mr McIntyre, Mr Gillen and Mr Devine.

During filming, Mr McCrory and Mr Gallagher became aware of the presence of both the police and Army in other parts of Derry, with McCrory telling Mr Yates "this is raid mode" and that he believed they would soon be in the area.

Mr Yates then spoke into the camera and said: "I thought I was going for a sleepy cup of tea with his mum."

He then remarked that "something heavier than that" may be unfolding in the "sleepy cul-de-sac".

Mr McCrory, Mr Gallagher and Mr Elliot later accompanied the film crew to the Creggan area of Derry, where the footage showed a police vehicle being attacked with petrol bombs that were thrown by a number of masked men.

The prosecution contend that these men, as identified by their clothing, were Mr McIntyre, Mr Devine and Mr Gillen.

In the footage, Mr Yates then asked why police have not exited the vehicle.

Mr Gallagher replied that they “have in the back of their mind that they are under severe threat”.

There “could be a larger attack, there could be armed men”, Mr Gallagher then said.

Mr Gallagher is then seen telling Mr Yates that in a previous riot in the city, a masked man had fired shots from an automatic weapon.

He then added: “What’s to say that won’t happen now again."

The trial continues.