Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Lyra murder probe: Riot accused ‘is bomb-maker for the New IRA’
Defendant, 53, bailed over unrest charges
A MAN arrested by police investigating the murder of Lyra Mckee “is a bombmaker for the New IRA”, a judge was told yesterday.
A Public Prosecution Service lawyer also said Kieran Mccool “is a man who appears to have some technical ability”.
The 53-year-old was charged with offences linked to events on the night of Ms Mckee’s death.
He is charged with rioting, throwing petrol bombs and assault.
The journalist was shot in the head when a masked gunman opened fire with a pistol on police land rovers.
The killing of the 29-year-old took place during rioting at the junction of Fanad Drive and
Central Drive in April 18, 2019. Opposing bail, prosecution barrister Robin Steer told Deputy District Judge Liam Mcstay that there was evidence linking the defendant, from Ballymagowan Gardens in the Derry’s Creggan area, to several explosive substances.
These included a bomb found beside a car belonging to a parttime PSNI officer in Dungiven, Co Derry, last April.
Mr Steer also told Derry Magistrates Court that other evidence linked Mccool to four improvised explosive devices.
He said there was also DNA evidence linking him to explosive traces found on gloves and inside a car three years ago. The prosecutor said: “There is also forensic and partial DNA linking him to other offences.”
The prosecution case is also based on footage the police obtained from an MTV crew.
The station was making a film in the area with presenter Reggie Yates on the night of the riot.
Defence barrister Joe Brolly said there was no indication from the footage that his client had been planning unrest. He said his client was among dozens of other men, women and kids who had watched the unrest. Mr Brolly added: “Mr Yates, from MTV, can be heard expressing incredulity that men, women and children have gathered to watch.”
Mccool’s defence also rejected the assault charge.
Applying for bail, Mr Brolly, said he did “not accept there is any evidence in the case. This is an egregious abuse”.
Granting conditional bail, the judge said the High Court had considered and granted bail in the related cases.
He added: “I am not satisfied a distinction can be drawn between this defendant and the other defendants.”
Mccool was arrested last Friday with a 44-year-old man.
The man was subsequently released pending a report to the PPS. Mccool was released on his own bail of £500 and the case was adjourned until October 28.
Meanwhile, the PSNI announced a 63-year-old man had been arrested in the city over Ms Mckee’s killing.
[I] do not accept there is any evidence in the case. This is an egregious abuse JOE BROLLY DERRY MAGISTRATES COURT YESTERDAY