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Acquittals in Belfast
Three men were found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland after a non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court, with Judge Mrs Justice Smyth saying the verdict would bring "little, if any, comfort or relief" to McKee's family.
“- Published Three men accused of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland more than seven years ago have been found not guilty”
The BBC reported that the 29-year-old author died after being shot as she stood close to police vehicles while watching disturbances in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019.
The prosecution case was that Peter Cavanagh, Jordan Gareth Devine, and Paul McIntyre accompanied a lone gunman to a firing point and encouraged or assisted him, but the defence said much of the case was based on "pure speculation".
Channel 4 News said the trial ended in Belfast after the judge concluded the clothing, video and phone record evidence did not prove the three were the masked men seen assisting the gunman "by various actions, including collecting spent bullet cases from the street."
Family and press react
Outside court, Lyra's sister Nichola Corner told the BBC the verdict was a "complete and utter shock" and said the "system has completely failed Lyra, our family and Northern Ireland."
Channel 4 News quoted Corner saying "The system of justice has failed Lyra, failed our family, and failed Northern Ireland," and it also reported that she questioned how "over 150 people witnessed what happened that night."
The BBC reported that the Public Prosecution Service said it was "satisfied that our legal test for prosecution was met" and that it was "in the public interest to bring the case."
DW said Reporters Without Borders and the National Union of Journalists expressed sympathy and quoted Felicity Garvey saying "Journalists cannot work freely and safely if those who kill members of the press can do so with impunity."
DW also quoted Judge Patricia Smyth saying "Lyra McKee’s murder was an act of senseless violence," and that the gunman "has never been brought to the court."
What happens next
The BBC said the non-jury trial opened in May 2024 and ended this April, and it reported that the judge reserved her judgement to give "proper consideration" to all the points made in the case.
“The Sunday Times' account reads like one of the best examples of investigative journalism”
DW reported that the New IRA said one of its members had shot McKee and apologized to her family, saying she was unintentionally shot because she was near police, while the group opposes the Irish peace process and seeks an end to British control over Northern Ireland.
Sky News said the judge found the shots were fired with "murderous intent" and that there was "obvious intention" to kill or seriously injure police, but it also reported that the gunman has never been brought before court.
The Huron Daily Tribune (AP) said McKee was shot while standing near law enforcement officers observing an anti-police riot in Londonderry on April 18, 2019, and it reported that no one was ever charged with pulling the trigger.
RSF said police began treating the incident as a terrorist act and that the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed McKee was wounded when a single shooter fired in the residential area of Creggan around 11 p.m. on April 18, before she died of her injuries.
