Northern Ireland

MTV comply with PSNI request over documentary footage

TV and radio presenter Reggie Yates was filming in Derry on the night of Lyra McKee's murder. Picture by Kandise Abiola
TV and radio presenter Reggie Yates was filming in Derry on the night of Lyra McKee's murder. Picture by Kandise Abiola TV and radio presenter Reggie Yates was filming in Derry on the night of Lyra McKee's murder. Picture by Kandise Abiola

MTV has issued a statement offering condolences to the family and friends of Lyra McKee after confirming it was filming a documentary in Derry at the time of the journalist's murder.

A camera crew from a production company working for MTV UK were in the city's Creggan area on Thursday evening with presenter Reggie Yates, who is filming a documentary series titled Reggie Yates Vs The World.

Yates, a former actor and Radio 1 DJ who has made a name for himself filming hard-hitting documentaries, won a Royal Television Society Award in 2016 for his show Extreme Russia, which was broadcast on BBC Three.

His new series is said to feature the 35-year-old London-born presenter examining "extreme and unusual situations" faced by young people, and he was pictured in Creggan on Thursday evening as crowds gathered following a PSNI security operation.

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MTV is complying with a PSNI request for footage of the riot that broke out before 29-year-old Lyra was shot by a suspected 'New IRA' member while standing beside a police landrover, shortly after 11pm.

Two people, aged 18 and 19, who were arrested in connection with the killing have been released without charge.

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A spokesperson for the channel said there was "no evidence of any sort to show that the presence of the media on the ground contributed or impacted the situation on the Creggan estate".

The spokesperson continued: "We can confirm that a production company was filming a documentary series for MTV in Northern Ireland and was present in the Creggan area where journalist Lyra McKee was tragically shot and killed.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lyra’s family and friends, and our thoughts are with the people of Derry during this tragic time."

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