Man charged with Lyra McKee murder allegedly picked up casings of bullets used to kill her
The 52-year was appearing in court in Londonderry
Last updated 13th Feb 2020
A man charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee is accused of picking up casings from the bullets used to kill her, a court heard today (Thursday).
There were scuffles outside Londonderry Magistrates' Court between police and supporters of Paul McIntyre (pictured arriving in court), who was remanded in custody following Thursday's hearing.
Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans while observing a riot in Londonderry in April last year.
During a 50-minute hearing, McIntyre's lawyer Derwin Harvey said: "The allegation against Mr McIntyre is that Mr McIntyre is at this riot and a male shoots the gun and that Mr McIntyre, after the gun was shot, picks up the cases.''
Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.
Before the hearing, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said "the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing''.
Supporters of 52-year-old McIntyre held placards saying he is a "political hostage'' and a British scapegoat'' as they scuffled with up to 40 police officers when they refused to move from the entrance to the court.
There were loud cheers as McIntyre was brought out of a Range Rover and taken inside.
McIntyre is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and belonging to or professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.
His address was given in court as Kinnego Park, Londonderry.
The court heard a lengthy defence submission applying for bail, but the judge adjourned the hearing until he receives further information from the prosecution about the evidence linking McIntyre to the charges.
Mr Harvey said the case rests on a "snapshot'' of low-quality mobile phone footage which the prosecution claims shows a man wearing clothing matching what his client was wearing earlier in the day.
McIntyre will next appear in court on February 27.
Judge Barney McElholm said he wanted the prosecution to provide him with further information in relation to issues raised by the defence before he decided on bail.
On the point surrounding witness interference, the district judge expressed concern about sinister graffiti in the Creggan area where Ms McKee was killed and vile'' posters showing a badly wounded police officer.
He said those behind such incidents were doing McIntyre no good whatsoever''. He said his main concern in the case was that everyone wastreated fairly''.
The judge said: A young woman with her entire life ahead of her, and it was a very promising life, was murdered mindlessly and pointlessly; like all other murders carried out in this country.
It is also very important that the murderers of Lyra McKee are brought to justice but we need to get the right people and every person deserves a fair trial.''
He asked prosecutors to provide further information about issues related to height and biometric testing and the points Mr Harvey had raised about witnesses who could potentially exonerate his client.
Ms McKee was living in Londonderry with her partner Sara Canning, who was in court for the hearing.
Ms McKee's sister Nichola Corner was among several people in the public gallery wearing T-shirts emblazoned with her picture.
The journalist was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland, having been part of the generation which reached adulthood during peace time.
Her funeral was attended by then prime minister Theresa May, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast.
Catholic priest Fr Martin Magill received a standing ovation when he asked why it took her death to unite politicians.
Days later, the British and Irish governments announced a new talks process aimed at restoring devolution.
Powersharing was resurrected last month and the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland took place this week.