Three men were acquitted of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who was fatally shot during disturbances in Derry in April 2019. The verdict was delivered yesterday at Belfast Crown Court, where Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 38, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, all from Derry, faced joint enterprise murder charges. The trial was conducted without a jury, and Judge Mrs Justice Smyth found the defendants not guilty of murder, though she continues to deliver judgments on other charges related to the case.

Lyra McKee, aged 29, was killed on April 18, 2019, after being struck by a bullet while observing police activity in the Creggan area of Derry. The incident occurred amid violent scenes during which petrol bombs were thrown at police and a vehicle was set on fire.

Speaking outside the court after the verdicts, Nichola Corner, McKee’s sister, expressed profound disappointment with the outcome. She described the decision as a shock to the family and said that the justice system had failed both McKee and their loved ones. Corner also highlighted what she described as an enduring “culture of silence” in Northern Ireland, which she said discourages witnesses from coming forward. She noted that over 150 people were present during the shooting but none provided evidence, calling this a situation that is unfair to victims and must change.

Corner stressed the family’s commitment to pursuing justice, saying no effort would be spared to uncover the truth. She cited a statement attributed to Lyra McKee, “If you’re going to go down, go down fighting,” emphasizing the family’s resolve to continue their search for accountability.

The defense had argued that much of the prosecution’s case was speculative, a view that the judge’s ruling appeared to reflect. Friends and relatives of both the accused and McKee were present in the courtroom during the verdicts, with members of McKee’s family leaving immediately after the not guilty verdicts on the murder charges were announced.

The trial marks a significant point in a case that has drawn attention to the challenges of securing convictions related to politically charged violence in Northern Ireland. The ongoing judicial process includes further rulings on additional charges connected to the events of that night.