Man accused of Lyra McKee murder identified as part of 'shooting party'

One of three men accused of murdering Lyra McKee has been identified as "part of the shooting party" in the prosecution's final submissions of the trial.

Belfast Crown Court was shown mobile phone footage of the moment gun shots were fired during a riot in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019.

Lyra McKee was shot dead while observing the events.

The New IRA admitted responsibility for the 29-year-old's murder.

Prosecuting barrister David McDowell KC told the court Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street in Derry could be identified in the footage.

"He looks like he has a position of responsibility from his actions, in our submission," he said.

The barrister said Cavanagh could be seen "intentionally encouraging the gunman".

"He was not there coincidentally," he said. "He was there for a reason."

As well as Cavanagh, Jordan Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, Derry, and Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk, also in the city, are charged with murder, which they deny.

It was the prosecution's submission that Cavanagh, as well as the others linked to the murder and the riot, could be identified in footage by their clothing and build.

McDowell said Cavanagh was "distinctive" during the footage by reason of his camouflage mask, bomber jacket, skinny jeans and dark Nike trainers.

"He was seen in the main footage walking towards the corner, slightly behind the gunman and just off the footpath," he said of the footage as it was played multiple times to the court.

"He walked at a similarly brisk pace to the gunman and the others who accompanied him. He positioned himself closer to the middle of the road from where he watched the shooting."

The barrister added that Cavanagh, who was described as "person G", could be seen "facing the crowd" as if "stewarding them" in, what he described as, "an official capacity".

"After the final shot, he made his way directly towards where the gunman was standing as if to assist," he said.

But two other men, identified as his co-accused McIntyre and Devine, had already "picked up what must have been misfired cartridges from the ground".

"He then walked off in the same direction as the gunman. He did so briskly with purpose. He was in our submission part of the shooting party," McDowell added.

The court also heard that those charged in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee had a "policy" of destroying the clothes they wore on the night the journalist was killed.

The prosecuting KC said the fact the defendants got rid of the clothes they allegedly wore on the night of the riot and murder was a "factor to bear in mind".

"It's a policy. Burn the gloves... burn the bomber jacket... get rid of clothes that might identify you," McDowell said.

The barrister also described how Cavanagh's DNA had been found on a zip pull that had been retrieved from a pile of seemingly burned clothes.

He said it was the prosecution's case that the zip pull came from the bomber jacket Cavanagh wore on the night of the riot and murder.

The prosecution completed its final submissions over the course of two days.

Six other men from Derry are also on trial in connection with the case.

They face charges including rioting and throwing a petrol bomb.

They are: Joseph Barr, 37, of Sandringham Drive; Jude McCrory, 28, of Gartan Square; Joseph Anthony Campbell, 25, of Goshaden Cottages; Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 33, of John Field Place; Kieran George McCool, 57, of Ballymagowan Gardens; and Christopher Joseph Gillen, 45, of Balbane Pass.

All of them deny the charges. None of the men gave evidence in their defence.

One other defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, formerly of Ballymagowan Gardens, died last year.

The trial continues.