Three men accused of murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland have been found not guilty. The 29-year-old author died in April 2019 after being shot while observing disturbances in the Creggan area of Londonderry. The New IRA, a dissident republican paramilitary group, claimed responsibility for the killing.

Peter Cavanagh, 38, Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, and Paul McIntyre, 58, faced a joint enterprise murder charge. None of the defendants were accused of firing the shot that killed Ms. McKee. The prosecution argued that they accompanied the gunman and encouraged or assisted him, while the defense contended the case relied on speculation.

The prosecution's case included footage from MTV, recorded in Derry on the day of the murder, which featured conversations between presenter Reggie Yates and some of the defendants. The prosecution suggested the disorder was orchestrated by dissident republicans to coincide with the MTV presence, though the camera crew had departed before the shooting.

The non-jury trial, which opened in May 2024 and concluded this April, was one of the longest in recent Northern Ireland history. The three men denied all charges and chose not to give evidence. The judge, Mrs Justice Smyth, reserved her judgment to thoroughly consider all evidence presented.

Outside the court, Lyra McKee's sister, Nichola Corner, expressed "complete and utter shock" at the verdict. She stated the "system has completely failed Lyra, our family and Northern Ireland" and called for an end to a "culture of silence," noting that over 150 people witnessed the events but none came forward.

The Public Prosecution Service confirmed they were satisfied the legal test for prosecution was met and that it was in the public interest to bring the case. The service acknowledged that the acquittals would be "deeply disappointing" to Ms. McKee's family and loved ones.

Ms. McKee, an acclaimed author and journalist, was killed while reporting on riots in the Creggan estate. Her death drew widespread condemnation and highlighted concerns about the ongoing threat posed by dissident republican groups.

The verdicts leave unresolved the question of who fired the fatal shot, with the New IRA having claimed responsibility but no individuals having been convicted of the murder itself. The trial's length and complexity underscore the challenges in prosecuting such cases, particularly those involving alleged joint enterprise.