Judgement reserved in Lyra McKee murder trial

Judgement has been reserved in the long-running trial of three men accused of murdering the journalist Lyra McKee.

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 non-jury trial, involving nine defendants in total, lasted almost two years.

Between them the nine men faced 52 charges, including rioting, which were all denied.

There is no indication as to when verdicts in the case will be delivered.

The judge, Mrs Justice Smyth said: "It's important to note that each of the defendants is entitled to be treated separately.

"Each offence with which they are charged has to be considered separately and for that reason I can't give a date at this stage for the final judgement.

"It will take me some time to give proper consideration to all of the points that have been made in this case - but this case will have my priority."

The three men from Derry who were accused of murder were Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk; Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street; and Jordan Devine, 25, from Bishop Street.

The prosecution's case is that they accompanied a lone gunman to a firing point on the night of the murder, and encouraged or assisted him.

The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of Lyra McKee.

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 other men from Derry face charges including rioting and throwing a petrol bomb.

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.

On the final day of the trial, a defence barrister for McIntyre said the police had "left no stone unturned" in the murder investigation but mistakes were made and "lines were crossed".

Mark Mulholland KC said there were "fundamental inconsistencies" in the prosecution case.

Pointing to video footage of the night that Lyra McKee was killed, he said: "There is no evidence of reliable identification of Mr McIntyre".

In response, a prosecution barrister defended the case and the evidence presented.