Three individuals are scheduled to face trial on Monday, accused of murdering Lyra McKee, a journalist from Belfast. These defendants, identified as Peter Cavanagh (35) from Mary Street, Derry; Jordan Gareth Devine (23) from Bishop Street, Derry; and Paul McIntyre (56) from Kells Walk, Derry, will appear at Belfast’s Crown Court. The charges are linked to the violent disorder that took place in Londonderry, concurrently.
Ms McKee, aged 29, tragically lost her life to gunshot wounds amidst rioting in Derry’s Creggan area on the 18th of April, 2019. Apart from murder, the accused trio are up against more accusations like possession of firearms and ammunition with an intention, and petrol bomb manufacture and distribution.
In addition to these three, another group of seven men will be standing trial at the same court over similar offences, most notably rioting and petrol bomb usage. The included defendants are: Joseph Patrick Barr (36), resident of Sandringham Drive, Derry; Jude Forest Coffey (26) from Gartan Square, Derry; William Patrick Elliott (57) from Ballymagowan Gardens, Derry; Joseph Anthony Campbell (23) from Gosheden Cottages, Derry; Patrick Anthony Gallagher (32) from John Field Place, Derry; Christopher Joseph Gillen (43) residing at Balbane Pass, Derry; and Kieran George McCool (55) of Ballymagowan Gardens, Derry. – PA