Patrick Anthony Gallagher, a 32-year-old man currently standing trial for his alleged involvement in the Derry riot in which journalist Lyra McKee was killed, had his request for bail to take a family holiday denied. Gallagher, from John Field Place, Derry, is one of ten being tried without a jury at Belfast Crown Court, with proceedings set to resume in September.
He stands accused of rioting and hurling a petrol bomb on the night of April 18th, 2019. McKee, aged 29, was fatally hit by a bullet to her head whilst observing the subsequent disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry.
Gallagher’s application to amend his bail conditions, enabling him to take a week-long family trip to Lanzarote from September 8th to 15th, was submitted at Belfast Crown Court. His defence lawyer explained the holiday had been booked on April 15th, with the expectation that the trial would conclude by the end of June.
Judge Peter Irvine KC expressed his surprise at the application, stating that he’d never encountered a similar request before. The prosecuting barrister interpreted Gallagher’s request as an attempt to sidestep his trial. Judge Irvine promptly dismissed the application, declaring it would not be honoured under any circumstances.