Three men cleared of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Derry

Verdict delivered

On Friday, a Belfast Crown Court judge found Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 38, and Jordan Devine, 25, not guilty of the murder of Lyra McKee. The non-jury trial, presided over by Mrs Justice Smyth, had started in May 2024 and examined whether the three Derry men were part of a joint enterprise that encouraged and assisted the gunman who fired the fatal shot.

Prosecutors did not accuse any of the defendants of pulling the trigger. They argued the men accompanied the lone gunman to a firing point on the night McKee was killed. The defence had earlier told the court that much of the prosecution case was built on speculation.

The shooting

Lyra McKee died on 18 April 2019 after being struck in the head by a bullet as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of Derry. She was standing near police vehicles when four shots were directed at officers during chaotic scenes that included petrol bombs and a burning car. The New IRA later claimed responsibility for the killing.

Trial and reactions

In February of this year, Mrs Justice Smyth rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer due to insufficient evidence. After the verdict, McKee's friends described the outcome as heartbreaking.

Lyra was a shining star with so much to offer. As this chapter closes we continue to mourn Lyra but will also take time to celebrate her remarkable contribution to journalism.

Seamus Dooley, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, made that statement earlier today as the union expressed solidarity with McKee's family.