Scuffles outside court in Londonderry as man appears in court charged with Lyra McKee murder
Last updated 13th Feb 2020
Supporters of a man charged with murdering journalist Lyra McKee scuffled with police outside court as he arrived for his first appearance in the dock.
Supporters of Paul McIntyre (52) from Kinnego Park, Londonderry held placards saying he is a political hostage'' and aBritish scapegoat'' scuffled with up to 40 police officers as they refused to move from the entrance to Londonderry Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
There were loud cheers as he was brought out of a Range Rover and taken into the court building.
Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers.
The Belfast writer was living in Londonderry with her partner, Sara Canning, who also arrived at court on Thursday morning.
Ms Mckee's sister Nichola Corner was among several people in the public gallery wearing T shirts emblazoned with her picture.
In a statement on Wednesday, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.''
Ms McKee was a gay rights activist and an articulate advocate of a new and more tolerant Northern Ireland and 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.
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.