Details of messages in a “Saoradh group chat” on WhatsApp which mentioned the death of journalist Lyra McKee were heard at her murder trial today.
The 29-year-old lost her life after being struck in the head by a bullet as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on the evening of Friday April 18, 2019.
Three Derry men have been charged with Ms McKee’s murder, possessing a firearm and ammunition and other linked offences including rioting and both possessing and throwing petrol bombs.
The trio are Paul McIntyre (56), from Kells Walk, Jordan Devine (23), from Bishop Street, and Peter Cavanagh (35), from Mary Street.
Seven co-accused, also from Derry, are facing charges including rioting and throwing petrol bombs.
They are Christopher Gillen (43), from Balbane Pass, Joseph Campbell (23), from Gosheden Gardens, Patrick Gallagher (32), from John Field Place, Jude McCrory (26), from Gartan Square, Joseph Barr (36), from Sandringham Drive, Kieran McCool (55), from Ballymagowan Gardens, and William Elliott (57), also from Ballymagowan Gardens.
All ten defendants have denied the charges levelled against them.
The non-jury trial being held at Belfast Crown Court heard evidence gleaned from a mobile phone which was examined in the aftermath of Ms McKee’s death.
A constable from the PSNI’s Cybercrime Unit who examined the phone was called to the witness box and was asked about messages on the Samsung device which were located in a “Saoradh group chat” on WhatsApp.
It’s the Crown’s case that members in the group chat include defendants McIntyre, Campbell, Gallagher, Barr and McCrory, as well as other men not before the court.
The constable was asked by a Crown barrister about messages he retrieved from the group chat which were sent the morning after Ms McKee’s death.
He confirmed that he retrieved a message sent from the owner of the Samsung, who is not before the court, which appeared on the group chat at 9.23am on April 19, 2019.
The message said: “Something needs to go up for the journalist who died, sympathy statement or something. People will write in we don’t give a f***. Just don’t react to them
It’s the Crown’s case that another man in the group chat, ‘Paddy Brexit’, who the Crown say is Patrick Gallagher, replied a short time later.
This message said: “This outcome is heartbreaking and we extend our sincerest sympathy to the family, friends and loves ones of the deceased.”
The constable confirmed that this message also contained a reference to the Saoradh.ie website and a pathway to a statement regarding Ms McKee’s death.
Prior to this, Judge Patricia Smyth heard evidence regarding Cavanagh’s DNA being found on a burned garment found close to where a car hijacked during the riot was later abandoned.
After shots were fired during the riot, a Vauxhall Mokka was hijacked on Central Drive by several masked men.
It was recovered in nearby Cromore Gardens a short time later and an item of burned clothing was recovered close to the vehicle.
This item, which was seized by the PSNI, was consistent with a jacket which the Crown say was worn by Cavanagh at the scene of the riot.
An expert in DNA, who was called to give evidence, said that when the remains of a zip on the burned item was tested, Cavanagh’s DNA was present.
He was then addressed by Cavanagh’s barrister, John Kearney KC, who questioned whether or not it was possible to determine how the DNA was deposited on the item.
When Mr Kearney asked, “You don’t know how or when the DNA got on this zip?”, the expert replied: “That’s correct.”
The trial continues.
by Gazmac_868855
5 comments
More condolences given from Saoradh for accidentally killing a journalist than the British government gave for intentionally killing civilians in Derry.
New IRA= twats of the highest order.
Just while we’re here Gaz, did you write anything or leave any posts on the 30th anniversary of the Loughinisland massacre?
Gazmac on the ball again informing us of the hordes of the dissident republicans (there is about 50 of them + someone’s Jack Russel)
Sour dough are fucking scumbags
twisted, deluded and macabre is gasbag