Bail approved for two men charged with murder of Lyra McKee

Two men charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee have been granted bail at the High Court in Belfast.

A judge rejected an appeal against a decision at Derry Magistrates’ Court that Gearoid Peter Cavanagh (33) and Jordan Devine (21) should be released from custody.

The pair are accused of involvement in events surrounding the dissident republican killing in Derry on April 18th, 2019, when the 29-year-old was shot dead while observing rioting in the Creggan area. Ms McKee was wounded when a masked gunman opened fire as police came under petrol bomb attack during unrest orchestrated by the New IRA.

Neither Mr Cavanagh, of Elmwood Terrace in Derry, nor Mr Devine, from Synge Court in the city, are accused of firing the fatal shot. But they were charged with the journalist’s murder following a review of available identification evidence.

They both face further counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, rioting, possession of petrol bombs, throwing petrol bombs and arson.

They were granted bail last week at Derry Magistrates’ Court along with a third defendant, Joe Campbell (21) from Gosheden Cottages in Derry, who is charged with rioting and petrol bomb offences on the same night.

The Public Prosecution Service mounted an appeal in an attempt to prevent the three men being released, claiming there was a risk of serious further offences.

It is alleged that Mr Devine can be identified in footage from the night standing close to the gunman, cheering and punching the air as the shots were fired. The prosecution claims Mr Cavanagh is the masked figure in the footage who escorted the gunman to and from the scene.