Northern Ireland

Lyra McKee murder accused has 'left Saoradh'

Journalist Lyra McKee who was shot dead in Derry by the New IRA
Journalist Lyra McKee who was shot dead in Derry by the New IRA Journalist Lyra McKee who was shot dead in Derry by the New IRA

One of the men charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee has severed his links with the dissident republican group Saoradh the High Court in Belfast has been told.

Gearoid Cavanagh (34) of Elmwood Terrace in Derry is charged with the murder of Ms McKee and rioting on the night of April 18, 2019.

He applied to the High Court to vary his bail conditions so that a curfew he is subject to and an electronic tag could be removed.

A prosecution barrister told the court that the objections to the bail being varied stemmed from the fear of further offences.

He told the Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan that the allegations against Cavanagh were that he had escorted the gunman to the corner where he had fired from and also had thrown petrol bombs on the night.

The court heard that police believed Cavanagh was "still involved in dissident republican activity and still linked to Saoradh."

Police would say that Cavanagh had been involved in white line protests this year and last.

The barrister said that the shooting had been claimed by the New IRA and the weapon used had subsequently been recovered and forensically linked to the murder as well as four punishment shootings.

The court heard that police had "significant concerns" about changing Cavanagh's bail conditions.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that his client would deny having taken part in any white line protests.

He said Cavanagh said he "was no longer a member of Saoradh" and was no longer associated in any way with that organisation.

The court heard that Cavanagh had abided by his bail conditions and had only been charged in September 2021 even though the incident took place in April 2019.

Mr Mooney said Cavanagh was working and the bail conditions were impacting on his family life.

Lady Justice Keegan said that this was the most serious case and it was unfortunate that the commital hearing had not gone ahead earlier this month.

She said she had been told the hearing would go ahead in January and so did not see any reason to vary Cavanagh's bail conditions as she felt they were "proportionate."