Film crew told disorder was ‘set up’, court hears

An MTV crew filming a riot on the night journalist Lyra McKee was killed were told the disorder had been “set up” for the camera, a murder trial has been told.

Lyra McKee died after being shot while observing rioting in Creggan, Londonderry, in April 2019.

Three men from Derry are on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of the 29-year-old’s murder.

They are Peter Cavanagh, 35, of Mary Street in Derry; Jordan Devine, 23, of Bishop Street; and Paul McIntyre, 56, of Kells Walk.

Seven other men from Derry are facing trial on a number of lesser charges, including rioting and throwing a petrol bomb on the night Ms McKee died.

They are: Joseph Patrick Barr, 38, of Sandringham Drive; Jude McCrory, 26, of Gartan Square; William Patrick Elliott, 57, of Ballymagowan Gardens; Joseph Anthony Campbell, 23, of Gosheden Cottages; Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 32, of John Field Place; Kieran George McCool, 55, of Ballymagowan Gardens; and Christopher Joseph Gillen, 43, of Balbane Pass.

TV presenter Reggie Yates and the MTV crew were in Derry filming a documentary.

Footage of events captured by the film crew before the 29-year-old journalist was shot was shown to the court on Friday.

Violence had flared in Creggan after police officers entered Creggan to conduct searches.

A prosecution barrister showed the court unedited MTV clips of police Land Rovers being attacked by masked men throwing petrol bombs.

In the video footage, Mr Yates commented that parents were “bringing their children out to watch”.

“Teenage girls eating their dinner while they watch this,” he was heard saying in the footage.

Another piece of footage showed one woman at the scene of the disorder who could be heard telling the film crew: “The people of Creggan are suffering for youse… It’s all set up for youse.”

The presenter, Reggie Yates, was then heard on camera saying: “If people are saying we’re inciting it, then maybe we should call it a night.”

As he confirmed the crew was going to leave, Mr Yates added: “This feels like it could go in so many different directions.”

The court was told that one of the defendants on trial, Jude McCrory, 26, of Gartan Square in Derry, who is charged with rioting and throwing a petrol bomb, was heard telling the presenter: “I hope you don’t miss anymore camera opportunities”.

Several members of Ms McKee’s family were in attendance in court on Friday.

The case continues.