Three men from Derry charged with murder of journalist, who was hit by bullet while observing 2019 rioting

Three men accused of the murder of the Belfast journalist Lyra McKee have been linked to the scene by clothing and physical features, a court has heard.

The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of McKee, 29, who died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on 18 April 2019.

Three men from Derry – Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street, Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, and Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk – have been charged with her murder. They are also facing other charges connected to the shooting and the rioting.

The trial opened in May 2024. In February, Judge Patricia Smyth rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer due to insufficiency of evidence.