Video Evidence Questioned in Lyra McKee Murder Trial
Video footage presented as evidence against Paul McIntyre, one of the men charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, has been described by his defence barrister as "sub-quality" and "unreliable" in court.
Paul McIntyre, aged 58, from Kells Walk in Londonderry, is among three men accused of the murder, which he denies.
Lyra McKee, a 29-year-old journalist, died after being struck by a bullet while standing near police vehicles observing disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry in April 2019. The New IRA claimed responsibility for her death.
McIntyre's defence barrister, Mark Mulholland KC, addressed Belfast Crown Court stating that the mobile phone footage depicting the shooting scene could not be relied upon by the prosecution.
He explained that the images had been compressed and were of low quality.
"The footage simply does not pass muster,"
"This imagery is of such poor quality it is beyond salvage."
Mulholland further added:
"If the court is not satisfied of the reliability of the mobile phone footage, then this court cannot safely find Mr McIntyre guilty of murder."
Two other men from Derry, Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street, and Jordan Devine, 25, from Bishop Street, have also denied murder.
It is the prosecution's case that the three accused men accompanied a lone gunman to the firing point on the night of the shooting and encouraged or assisted him. All three have denied the charges and have declined to give evidence.
The non-jury trial commenced in May 2024. The prosecution has presented its case, and the court is currently hearing defence submissions.
In February, the trial judge, Mrs Justice Smyth, rejected a defence application asserting there was no case to answer.
Additional Defendants Facing Charges
Six other men from Derry face charges related to the case, including rioting. 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 deny the charges and none have provided evidence in their defence.
Another defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, formerly of Ballymagowan Gardens, Derry, passed away last year.
Defence submissions in the trial are scheduled to continue on Thursday.
