Shots That Killed Lyra McKee May Have Been Fired for Propaganda
The Lyra McKee murder trial has been informed that the gunfire which resulted in her death might have been intended for propaganda purposes rather than to inflict "any physical harm".
The journalist, aged 29, was fatally shot while observing rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry in April 2019. The New IRA has admitted responsibility for her murder.
Three men—Peter Cavanagh, 37, of Mary Street in Derry; Jordan Devine, 25, of Bishop Street; and Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk—are charged with murder, charges which they deny.
Defence closing submissions commenced at Belfast Crown Court on Monday. During these submissions, it was suggested that police Land Rovers were the intended targets of the shooting. However, as these vehicles were bulletproof, it was argued that the motivation behind firing the rounds could have been to stage a propaganda exercise rather than to cause injury or harm.
John Kearney KC stated there remains "
substantial harm from staging propaganda". He further noted that, considering an MTV film crew was present in the area that day, the shots could have been fired for "
publicity purposes", but emphasized they were "
not for fun".
Kearney highlighted that this context was an important background to the disorder. The court heard that the burst of shots lasted approximately 30 seconds.
Additional Charges Against Six Men
Six other men from Derry 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 deny the charges. None of these men gave evidence in their defence.
One additional defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, formerly of Ballymagowan Gardens, passed away last year.
Murder Accused's DNA Found on Burned Jacket Zip
During Monday's submissions, a barrister examined the prosecution's argument regarding how DNA belonging to Peter Cavanagh was found on the zip of a burned jacket. This jacket was discovered near the location where a car, hijacked during the riot, was later abandoned.
Kearney suggested that the DNA presence could be explained by "
an innocent transfer of DNA". He elaborated: "
Touch transfer, aerosol or sneezing, or talking, or shouting, all those mechanisms would account for primary DNA transfer from the defendant to the coat."
Defence Argues Prosecution's Case Is 'Four Bridges Too Far'
Also on Monday, the legal team for Christopher Gillen, 45, of Balbane Pass, charged with rioting and throwing a petrol bomb, presented their final defence submissions. Defence barrister Kieran Mallon KC told the court: "
This case is all about clothing identification against my client."
Mallon stated that the prosecution's attempt to link items of clothing, shown in images presented in court, to the defendant was not merely "
one bridge too far but four bridges too far".
He further asserted there was "
no forensic link" between a pair of trousers seized from Gillen's residence and the defendant himself.
The defence submissions are ongoing.
