Three men charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee have been acquitted at Belfast Crown Court. The Public Prosecution Service confirmed on 3 July 2026 that it acknowledged the verdicts while standing by its decision to prosecute, stating the case met the legal test for bringing charges and was in the public interest.

Judge Mrs Justice Smyth ruled the prosecution's wholly circumstantial case insufficient to support a joint enterprise murder charge. The defendants - Paul McIntyre (58), Peter Cavanagh (38), and Jordan Gareth Devine (25), all from Derry - had been accused of accompanying and assisting the gunman who fired the fatal shot.

Ms McKee, aged 29, died on 18 April 2019 after being struck by a bullet while standing near police vehicles during disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry. The New IRA later claimed responsibility, but the individual who shot her has never been brought before a court.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Agnew described the case as complex and challenging, drawing on video analysis, mobile phone data, and forensic evidence. He said the PPS worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and overcame a series of legal challenges during the trial. Mr Agnew acknowledged the acquittals would cause deep disappointment to Ms McKee's family.

Sara Canning, Ms McKee's partner, said the outcome felt like a devastating blow after two years of hope. She left the courtroom as the final not guilty verdict was announced, saying the trial had been a waste of time that failed to deliver justice for Lyra.

Ms Canning noted that without substantial new evidence, the three men could not be tried again for the murder. She said she knows what the gunman looks like and could recognise him in public. Addressing the killer, she expressed a wish that the act would burden his conscience and that he would eventually face consequences.