Three men have been found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry in 2019, a verdict her family described as a 'complete and utter shock'.
Family Vows to Continue Fight for Justice
Nichola Corner, sister of the 29-year-old journalist, said outside Belfast Crown Court that the family would leave 'no stone unturned' in seeking justice. She also called for an end to the 'culture of silence' in Northern Ireland, noting that over 150 people witnessed the incident but none came forward with evidence.
'The system has completely failed Lyra and has failed our family, and has failed Northern Ireland, to be perfectly honest,' Corner said.
The Trial and Verdict
Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk in Derry; Peter Cavanagh, 38, of Mary Street; and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, faced a joint enterprise murder charge. Judge Mrs Justice Smyth found all three not guilty on Friday in the non-jury trial. The judge is continuing to deliver her judgment on other charges.
Ms McKee died on April 18, 2019, after being hit by a bullet while observing disturbances in the Creggan area of Londonderry. The New IRA claimed responsibility for her death.
Prosecution and Defence Arguments
The prosecution alleged the three men accompanied a lone gunman and encouraged or assisted him. However, defence barristers criticised the evidence as almost entirely circumstantial. On the night of the killing, petrol bombs were thrown at police and a car was set on fire before four shots were fired, one of which struck Ms McKee.
Corner said the family's strength comes from their love for Lyra and their mother. 'This is not over. Lyra said, 'if you're going to go down, go down fighting,' and I can tell you right now that every one of my family will, because we do this for Lyra. She deserves justice.'
