Judgement Reserved in Lyra McKee Murder Trial
Judgement has been reserved in the extended trial involving three men accused of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
McKee, a 29-year-old author, was fatally shot while standing near police vehicles observing disturbances in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019.
The non-jury trial, which includes nine defendants in total, has been ongoing for nearly two years.
Collectively, the nine men face 52 charges, including rioting, all of which they deny.
There is currently no indication of when the verdicts will be announced.
The presiding judge, Mrs Justice Smyth, stated:
"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 accused of murder are Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk; Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street; and Jordan Devine, 25, from Bishop Street.
The prosecution alleges that these men accompanied a lone gunman to a firing point on the night of the murder and either encouraged or assisted him.
The New IRA has claimed responsibility for Lyra McKee's death.
The non-jury trial commenced in May 2024.
The prosecution has presented its case, and the court is currently hearing defence submissions.
In February, Mrs Justice Smyth rejected a defence application asserting there was no case to answer.
Six other men from Derry face charges including rioting and throwing a petrol bomb.
These defendants 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 deny the charges, and none have given evidence in their defence.
Another defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, formerly of Ballymagowan Gardens, Derry, passed away last year.
On the trial's final day, a defence barrister representing McIntyre acknowledged that the police had "left no stone unturned" during the murder investigation but argued that mistakes were made and "lines were crossed."
Mark Mulholland KC stated there were "fundamental inconsistencies" in the prosecution's case.
Referring to video footage from the night of Lyra McKee's death, he said:
"There is no evidence of reliable identification of Mr McIntyre".
In response, a prosecution barrister defended the case and the evidence presented.
