Men accused of murdering Lyra McKee linked to scene by clothing, Belfast court told

Three men accused of the murder of the Belfast journalist Lyra McKee have been linked to the scene by clothing and physical features, a court has heard.The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of McKee, 29, who died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on 18 April 2019.Three men from Derry – Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street, Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, and Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk – have been charged with her murder. They are also facing other charges connected to the shooting and the rioting.The trial opened in May 2024. In February, Judge Patricia Smyth rejected a defence application that there was no case to answer due to insufficiency of evidence.Proceedings resumed at Belfast crown court on Wednesday morning when defendants filled the dock as the prosecution summed up their case against them.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.The nine men all deny the charges.Another man accused of rioting and throwing petrol bombs on the night of the murder died during trial proceedings last year.The prosecution claim the three men accused of murder had accompanied a lone gunman to the firing point on the night, and had encouraged or assisted him.McKee’s sister Nichola was among those in the public gallery watching on.The prosecuting barrister, David McDowell KC, said Andrew Wooller, a forensic image analyst, had 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, could be linked to the scene on 18 April by an analysis of imagery gathered, which includes footage filmed by an MTV crew on the day of the shooting.McDowell also claimed that those involved in rioting in the area on 16 and 18 April had “displayed forensic awareness” by burning clothing.McDowell contended that McIntyre had played a “leading role”, and had been spotted close to the gunman. He described him having been pictured wearing “distinctive” trainers with lace adornment, a hooded jacket, a red Superdry T-shirt, O’Neill tracksuit bottoms, a Nike cap and a metal bracelet, which, with his short height and heavy build, “overwhelmingly” linked him with person D seen in footage of the rioting on 18 April. He added that McIntyre had his name, Paul, tattooed to his knuckles and a distinctive tattoo on the upper of his left hand.McDowell said Devine had been seen wearing distinctive trainers, tracksuit bottoms and a US Polo Association cap on a number of occasions, linking him with person B from riot footage on 18 April.He said McIntyre and Devine had declined to give evidence to account for evidence against them.The trial continues.