One of Lyra McKee murder accused ‘part of shooting party’ and ‘stewarded crowd’
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
One of the men accused of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee was “part of the shooting party” and “stewarded” the crowd, Belfast Crown Court has heard.
The 29-year-old author died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing the disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18th, 2019.
Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street in Derry, is one of three charged with her murder.
The prosecution has argued Cavanagh is “person G” identified in footage of the shooting by his clothes, height and build.
Prosecuting barrister David McDowell said a person identified as G in the footage is wearing a camouflage mask, bomber jacket and skinny jeans, is of a slim build and walks in an upright manner.
As the court was shown mobile footage of the shooting, he contended Cavanagh is person G who is seen “walking briskly” with the gunman, positioning himself in the middle of the road, and turning to face the crowd twice, “as if stewarding them”.
The same person is also contended to be seen moving towards the gunman “to assist” after the shots were fired where two other people were picking things up, believed to be cartridges.
“Whenever he arrives at the scene, he is part of the shooting party… he is not there accidentally, he is there for a reason,” he added.
Judge Patricia Smyth queried in what way G was stewarding the crowd.
McDowell emphasised the “purpose” with which he said that four people, identified as B, C, D and G who accompanied the gunmen, walked.
“It is the purpose with which Cavanagh is walking shows he is part of the shooting party, and ultimately the actions he takes,” he said.
“If he was eating a curry chip he would not be behaving (that way).
“He looks like he has a position of responsibility.”
The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of McKee.
Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, and Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk – have also been charged with McKee’s murder.
They are also facing other charges connected to the shooting and the rioting.
Six other Derry men are on trial on charges including rioting and throwing petrol bombs.
They are: Joseph Patrick Barr, 37, of Sandringham Drive, Jude Forest Coffey, 28, of Gartan Square, Joseph Anthony Campbell, 25, of Gosheden Cottages, Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 33, of John Field Place, Christopher Joseph Gillen, 45, of Balbane Pass, and Kieran George McCool, 57, of Ballymagowan Gardens.
Another man accused of rioting and throwing petrol bombs on the night of the murder died during trial proceedings last year.
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 refused to give evidence.
Earlier the trial heard that it was seemingly a “policy” of the accused to destroy clothing they had been wearing.
It came after a sequence of events, including rioting in the same area on April 16th and gatherings filmed by MTV, from which the clothing and features of those involved are contended to match those involved on April 18th.
However a number of items of clothing have not been recovered, with the prosecution in the case contending it was a “fact to bear in mind”, and a “policy” that clothes were destroyed.
The non-trial opened in May 2024. In February, Judge Smyth rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer.
The prosecution started their final submissions at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday.
The defendants filled the dock watching on as the prosecution summed up their case against them this week.
McKee’s sister Nichola was among those in the public gallery.
On Wednesday, McDowell said forensic image analyst Andrew Wooller identified 19 individuals by height, build, clothing and trainers who appeared to be involved in the disorder.
He said Cavanagh, Devine and McIntyre, as well as Campbell and Gillen, can be linked to the scene on April 18th by an analysis of imagery gathered, which includes footage filmed by an MTV crew on the day of the shooting in the Saoradh office as well as during rioting.
It was contended that McIntyre played a “leading role”, and was a person seen gathering up items from the ground, believed to be cartridges from the ground after the shooting.
The defence are set to make their closing submissions next month.
