The family of Lyra McKee have described the acquittal of three men accused of her murder as a “complete and utter shock”, after a judge ruled that the evidence against them had fallen short.
Ms McKee, 29, was hit by a bullet as she stood near police vehicles during disturbances in Derry in April 2019. The paramilitary republican group the New IRA said it had been behind the killing.
“Three men found not guilty of murdering journalist Lyra McKee, as family calls verdict 'complete and utter shock'”
At the conclusion of the trial, the judge said the evidence against the men accused of assisting or encouraging the murder had fallen short. The verdict prompted an emotional reaction from the victim’s family, who had waited years for justice.
In a statement, Ms McKee’s sister said: “No stone will be left unturned to get justice for Lyra.”
The three men, who have not been named in reports, were found not guilty of murder. The New IRA had previously claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting, but no one has yet been convicted of the killing.
The acquittal marks a devastating setback for the family, who have campaigned tirelessly for answers since the journalist’s death. The judge’s ruling that the evidence did not meet the threshold for conviction means the case will now likely be the subject of further scrutiny and calls for a fresh investigation.