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Video evidence 'unreliable', Lyra McKee murder court told

Mark SimpsonCommunity correspondent, BBC News NI
AFP Lyra McKee, a woman with short black hair wearing glasses and a grey jacket, is smiling towards the camera. She is standing outside in front of a blue and pink mural on a wall.AFP
Lyra McKee was shot dead as she observed rioting

Video evidence used against one of the men accused of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee has been described in court by a defence barrister as "sub-quality" and "unreliable".

Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk in Londonderry, is one of three men charged with the murder, which he denies.

The 29-year-old journalist died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while watching disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry in April 2019.

The New IRA claimed responsibility for her death.

McIntyre's defence barrister Mark Mulholland KC told Belfast Crown Court that mobile phone footage of the shooting scene could not be relied upon by the prosecution.

He said the images had been compressed and were low quality.

"The footage simply does not pass muster," he said.

"This imagery is of such poor quality it is beyond salvage."

The defence barrister added: "If the court is not satisfied of the reliability of the mobile phone footage, then this court cannot safely find Mr McIntyre guilty of murder."

Two other men from Derry have denied murder - Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street, and Jordan Devine, 25, from Bishop Street.

PA Media Separate photos of three men - Jordan Devine, Peter Cavanagh and Paul McIntyre PA Media
Jordan Devine, Peter Cavanagh and Paul McIntyre (left to right) are all accused of the murder of Lyra McKee

It is the prosecution's case that the three men accused of murder had accompanied a lone gunman to the firing point on the night, and had encouraged or assisted him.

They have all denied the charges and declined to give evidence.

The non-jury trial opened in May 2024.

The prosecution case has been presented to the trial and the court is now hearing defence submissions.

In February, the trial judge, Mrs Justice Smyth, rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer.

Six others also on trial

Six other men from Derry face charges in the case including rioting.

They are: Joseph Barr, 37, of Sandringham Drive; Jude McCrory, 28, of Gartan Square; Joseph Anthony Campbell, 25, of Goshaden Cottages; Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 33, of John Field Place; Kieran George McCool, 57, of Ballymagowan Gardens; and Christopher Joseph Gillen, 45, of Balbane Pass.

All of them deny the charges. None of the men have given evidence in their defence.

One other defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, formerly of Ballymagowan Gardens, Derry, died last year.

The defence submissions are due to continue on Thursday.