Identification of Accused in Lyra McKee Murder Trial
One of the three men charged with the murder of Lyra McKee has been identified as a member of the "shooting party," according to the prosecution's final submissions during the trial.
At Belfast Crown Court, mobile phone footage was presented showing the moment gunshots were fired amid a riot in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019.
Lyra McKee, a 29-year-old journalist, was fatally shot while observing the events. The New IRA has admitted responsibility for her murder.
Prosecuting barrister David McDowell KC informed the court that Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street in Derry, could be identified in the footage.
"He looks like he has a position of responsibility from his actions, in our submission,"
McDowell stated that Cavanagh was seen "intentionally encouraging the gunman."
"He was not there coincidentally," he said. "He was there for a reason."
Alongside Cavanagh, Jordan Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, Derry, and Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk, also in the city, face murder charges, which they deny.
The prosecution submitted that Cavanagh and others linked to the murder and riot could be identified in the footage by their clothing and physical build.
McDowell described Cavanagh as "distinctive" in the footage due to his camouflage mask, bomber jacket, skinny jeans, and dark Nike trainers.
Detailed Analysis of the Footage
"He was seen in the main footage walking towards the corner, slightly behind the gunman and just off the footpath," McDowell said as the footage was replayed multiple times in court.
"He walked at a similarly brisk pace to the gunman and the others who accompanied him. He positioned himself closer to the middle of the road from where he watched the shooting."
The barrister added that Cavanagh, referred to as "person G," appeared to be "facing the crowd" as if "stewarding them" in what was described as "an official capacity."
"After the final shot, he made his way directly towards where the gunman was standing as if to assist,"
McDowell continued, noting that two other men, identified as co-accused McIntyre and Devine, had already "picked up what must have been misfired cartridges from the ground."
"He then walked off in the same direction as the gunman. He did so briskly with purpose. He was in our submission part of the shooting party,"
McDowell concluded.
Destruction of Clothing Evidence
The court also heard that those charged in connection with Lyra McKee's murder had a "policy" of destroying the clothes they wore on the night of the killing.
The prosecuting barrister emphasized that the defendants' disposal of their clothing from the night of the riot and murder was a significant factor.
"It's a policy. Burn the gloves... burn the bomber jacket... get rid of clothes that might identify you,"
McDowell said.
He further described how Cavanagh's DNA was found on a zip pull recovered from a pile of apparently burned clothes.
The prosecution's case is that the zip pull originated from the bomber jacket Cavanagh wore on the night of the riot and murder.
The prosecution completed its final submissions over two days.
Additional Defendants and Charges
Six other men from Derry are also on trial in relation to the case.
They face charges including rioting and throwing a petrol bomb. The 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. None of these men gave evidence in their defence.
One other defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, formerly of Ballymagowan Gardens, died last year.
