LAST UPDATE | 20 hrs ago

THREE MEN ACCUSED of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee have been found not guilty.

Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 38 and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, were found not guilty today at Belfast Crown Court.

The ruling followed a lengthy non-jury trial that heard evidence over several months.

McKee, 29, was shot dead while observing rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on 18 April 2019 after a gunman fired towards police.

The New IRA later claimed responsibility for her killing.

The prosecution alleged the three men jointly participated in the shooting by accompanying and assisting the gunman. They denied the charges.

The trial, which began in May 2024, also heard evidence against six other men accused of offences linked to the rioting on the night McKee was killed.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) expressed solidarity with McKee’s family this morning.

“On a day like this we are reminded of what we have lost,” NUJ assistant general secretary Séamus Dooley said.

“Lyra was a shining star with so much to offer. As this chapter closes we continue to mourn Lyra but will also take time to celebrate her remarkable contribution to journalism.”

Dooley said the union had hoped McKee’s family “would find solace” by securing a conviction, but despite the judge determining the journalist had been murdered, the three men accused of her murder were found not guilty.

He added that it is a matter of grave concern that no one was charged with her murder.

“The person who pulled the trigger got off scot-free,” he said. “In this case, someone has gotten away with the murder of a journalist – just as happened in the case of Martin O’Hagan.”

O’Hagan was a journalist for the Sunday World newspaper who was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force in Lurgan, County Armagh, in 2001. Charges connected to his murder against individuals were withdrawn. No one has been prosecuted for his murder.

The acting chair of the NUJ’s Belfast and district branch Kevin Cooper said this has been a “traumatic period” for McKee’s family, partner and friends.

“They have waited a long time for judgment in this case and have been tenacious in pursuing justice while having to listen to the most awful, chilling evidence over the last two years. Our thoughts are with them all.”

Additional reporting from PA