Lyra McKee: Two appear in court charged with murder

A PSNI officer lays flowers on Fanad Drive in Derry following the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee.
Published 17th Sep 2021
Last updated 17th Sep 2021

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of Belfast journalist Lyra McKee.

The 29-year-old was shot dead by dissident republicans in Londonderry in April 2019 as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of the city.

Gearoid Cavanagh, 33, of Elmwood Terrace, Derry, and Jordan Devine, 21, of Synge Court, Derry, appeared via videolink at Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Friday where they were charged with her murder.

They were both also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, riot, possession of petrol bombs, throwing petrol bombs and arson.

Cavanagh was further charged with robbery.

A prosecuting lawyer told the court the police case was that the two defendants were with the gunman who fired the shot on the night that Ms McKee was killed.

Defence lawyers said the evidence against their clients was weak.

The two defendants were granted bail by district judge Barney McElholm and will appear again in court on October 7.