Lyra riots accused filmed by MTV crew
EVIDENCE against two men accused of rioting on the night journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead is based on video footage captured by MTV, a court has heard
Ms McKee (29) was shot dead in Derry in April 2019 as she observed the riot in the Creggan area of the city.
Patrick Gallagher (29), from Gartan Square in Derry, and Jude McCrory (24), from Magowan Park in the city, appeared by video link before Derry Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Both are accused of rioting on the night Ms McKee was shot and throwing petrol bombs. They were granted bail after appearing separately before district judge Barney McElholm.
A defence lawyer representing both men said the evidence against them was “identical” and was based on footage the police obtained from an MTV documentary crew that was making a film in the Creggan area with presenter
Reggie Yates on the night of the riot.
Identical
“It’s identical evidence, it’s the MTV footage,” he told the court.
The lawyer said the PSNI had the footage in its possession since April 2019, raising concerns over the “significant delay” in arresting and charging the men.
He suggested an initial decision had been taken not to prosecute on the basis of the footage and claimed that had now been reversed.
“Something has changed or clicked whereby it now merits a prosecution,” he said.
Gallagher, the lawyer added, denies the charges. “He was involved in the making of the documentary,” he said.
“It was no different to the person who made the documentary, Mr Reggie Yates.”
They were bailed on strict conditions until October 21.