The sister of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has said the family will "not go down" after three men were found not guilty of her murder at Belfast Crown Court on Friday. Paul McIntyre, Peter Cavanagh and Jordan Devine had been jointly charged with murder but Judge Mrs Justice Smyth ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict them.

The judge said the gunman who fired the fatal shot on April 18, 2019, has never been brought before the court. She described the killing as "an act of senseless violence" and expressed regret that the trial had not brought comfort to McKee's family.

McKee, 29, died after being hit by a bullet while observing disturbances and rioting in the Creggan area of Derry. The New IRA later claimed responsibility for her death.

Nichola McKee Corner spoke outside court after the verdicts, describing them as a "complete and utter shock". She said the justice system had failed her sister and the family. Calling for an end to a "culture of silence", she said more than 150 people witnessed the events but none came forward with evidence.

McKee's former partner Sara Canning told Channel 4 News that attending the trial had been traumatic. She described reliving the events of that night repeatedly, including watching footage and hearing gunshots and her own screams.

During the same trial, Christopher Gillen was convicted of riot, possession of petrol bombs and throwing petrol bombs. Kieran McCool was convicted of common assault against a community worker.

DUP MLA Julie Middleton expressed sympathy for the family and urged anyone with information to come forward. She described the murder as "an appalling act of republican terrorist violence". The National Union of Journalists also offered its sympathies to the family.