Lyra McKee murder: Man bailed over rioting

A MAN has been released on bail charged over rioting on the night journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA in Derry over two years ago.

Kieran McCool of Ballymagowan Gardens in the city faced Derry Magistrates’ Court today charged with rioting, throwing petrol bombs and assault on Thursday, April 18, 2019 the night Ms McKee was brutally murdered while observing rioting in Creggan’s Fanad Drive.

A PSNI detective connected the accused to the charges.

But charges as challenged by McCool’s defence barrister Joe Brolly.

He described the evidence against the 53-year-old as “an affront to justice”.

Mr Brolly said: “We don’t accept there is any evidence in this case.”

A prosecution lawyer said that an MTV film crew along with TV presenter Reggie Yates was in Creggan at the time filming several members of Saoradh, the political wing of the New IRA.

He said while in the Ballymagowan area word reached some people that police landrovers had entered the area.

The prosecutor said that McCool could be seen on his phone standing outside the house along with several other men.

Later at the scene of the rioting the court was told McCool could be seen in an altercation with a community representative who was trying to stop the rioting.

The court heard that 14 police officers identified McCool from the footage.

Later when the shots were fired McCool was seen walking away in the same direction as the gunman.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that he accepted there was a connection and asked about bail.

The prosecution said bail was opposed even though all the others charged in connection with the same incident had been granted bail.

The court heard that McCool was different in that he was already facing two other sets of charges including an incident where explosives were found beside the car of a part time police officer in Dungiven in April this year.

He was also charged in March this year with preparatory acts of terrorism, possession of explosives with intent and possession of articles likely to be of use to terrorists.

Bail was opposed due to concerns that McCool would re-offend.

But Deputy District Judge McStay granted McCool bail on condition he wears an electronic tag, observes a curfew, reports to police five times a week, does not have a passport and has no contact with his co-accused.

McCool will appear again in court for a further remand hearing on Thursday, October 28.

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