Trial of three men accused of murdering Lyra McKee opens in Belfast – The Irish Times

The trial of 3 males accused of the homicide of journalist Lyra McKee has opened in Belfast.

Ms McKee (29), died then being struck by way of a bullet as she stood alike to police automobiles year looking at rioting within the Creggan branch of Derry on April 18th, 2019.

The Brandnew IRA claimed duty for the writer’s homicide.

Peter Cavanagh (35), of Mary Boulevard, Derry; Jordan Gareth Devine (23), of Bishop Boulevard, Derry; and Paul McIntyre (56), of Kells Proceed, Derry, are charged together with her homicide.

The 3 additionally face various alternative fees, together with riotous meeting, ownership of a firearm and ammunition with intent, in addition to ownership of, and throwing of, petrol bombs.

Mr McIntyre is moreover charged with club of a proscribed organisation.

David McDowell KC, opening the case for the prosecution, mentioned the capturing took place on the “culmination of orchestrated disorder” within the branch.

He mentioned the prosecution would contend that the 3 males accused of homicide had accompanied a lone gunman at the night time.

The barrister mentioned the gunman had fired 4 photographs within the path of police Land Rovers.

The non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Courtroom heard how TV presenter Reggie Yates and an MTV manufacturing staff have been filming a documentary in Derry within the duration as much as the homicide. The movie concerned about Saoradh – a bunch the Police Carrier of Northern Eire has described because the political wing of the Brandnew IRA.

Yates and the staff had left the rebel scene in a while earlier than the photographs have been fired at the night time Ms McKee used to be killed, the court docket heard.

Photos captured by way of the MTV staff at the week of the homicide used to be proven to Pass judgement on Patricia Smyth because the trial opened.

The pictures integrated clips of Yates being offered to various people within Saoradh’s places of work in Derry. Mr McDowell mentioned the crowd throughout the construction integrated Paul McIntyre and Jordan Devine.

He drew the pass judgement on’s consideration to the dimensions and form of the lads and the garments they have been dressed in once they met Yates.

Seven alternative males are on trial on various fees, together with rioting and throwing petrol bombs.

They’re: Joseph Patrick Barr (36), of Sandringham Power, Derry; Jude Jungle Coffey (26), of Gartan Sq., Derry; William Patrick Elliott (57), of Ballymagowan Subjects, Derry; Joseph Anthony Campbell (23), of Gosheden Cottages, Derry; Patrick Anthony Gallagher (32), of John Farmland Playground, Derry; Christopher Joseph Gillen (43), of Balbane Move, Derry; and Kieran George McCool (55), of Ballymagowan Subjects, Derry.

Ms McKee’s spouse Sara Canning and her sister Nichola Nook McKee have been amongst the ones attending the outlet of the trial at Belfast’s Laganside Courts. – PA