‘It could only have been one person’: top former detective says system failed the murdered journalist Lyra McKee

The night of the killing

On the night of 18 April 2019, Lyra McKee, a 29-year-old journalist, was shot and killed while observing rioting in Creggan, Derry. Approximately 150 people were in her vicinity at the time. Police footage shown in court captured the grainy outline of a man firing a handgun, and mobile phone footage captured a bystander crying out, "Someone's fucking shot," before adding, "There's a fucking kid shot in the head."

The New IRA claimed responsibility for her death. Within days of the killing, the group offered its "full and sincere apologies" to McKee's family, but no individual was held responsible.

A long pursuit of justice

McKee's murder became a years-long quest for justice and the subject of a three-part documentary series, The Murder Detective, airing on Channel 4 starting 26 August. The series follows the investigation led by Jason Murphy, who was head of major investigations for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) at the time of the killing. Murphy told The Guardian that the case was hampered by a "culture of silence" within the community, rooted in mistrust of police and fear of repercussions. Threatening graffiti appeared across Derry, and placards warned of what might happen to those who informed. In an interview with the BBC, community figure Patrick Gallagher said, "People of this community know the life of an informer."

The investigation also faced internal setbacks. A firewall was constructed between Murphy's team and other PSNI officers, but one of his team members visited those officers — a breach of the arrangement. The murder weapon was initially not recovered; Niall Sheerin was later sentenced to seven years for possessing it.

Murphy said he identified the shooter, whom he believes "could only have been one person." However, the suspect was not charged. According to Murphy, the prosecuting barrister believed that, based on the evidence that could be presented in court, a guilty verdict was unlikely. No eyewitness was willing to confirm the shooter's identity.

The trial and its outcome

In July 2024, a Belfast judge delivered a verdict after a 25-month trial. Three men were found not guilty of McKee's murder. The judgment criticised the prosecution's case, particularly for its lack of evidence identifying the defendants as those depicted, often masked, in video footage. None of the many onlookers on the street that night came forward as a witness to the murder.

The trial was held without a jury because of the risk of paramilitary intimidation. Ten men were originally charged with 52 offences, three of them with joint enterprise murder. Of the nine men prosecuted, seven were acquitted on all counts, including the three charged with murder and Gallagher. Kieran McCool was found guilty of common assault, and Christopher Gillen of possessing and throwing petrol bombs, and of association with riot.

Lyra's sister, Nichola Corner, said she felt "really, really let down" and believes some people are withholding evidence. Her family had earlier stated that the justice system had "completely failed" the journalist and them.

Murphy told The Guardian that the failures went beyond the trial: "I felt ashamed to be part of a system that failed this family and community." He maintained that only one person could have fired the shot, and that the community's silence and the prosecution's decisions combined to prevent a conviction.

The first episode of the documentary looks at the reaction to McKee's death and the hunt for a masked gunman who "appears to have disappeared without a trace". The series also draws on footage filmed by broadcaster Reggie Yates, who was in Derry that night and whose material was used in the investigation.

Perspectives

Former lead investigator

Jason Murphy says he identified the shooter but charges were not brought because the prosecution deemed a conviction unlikely. He described feeling ashamed to be part of a system that failed the family and community.

McKee family

Lyra McKee's sister Nichola Corner said she felt "really, really let down" and believed some people were withholding evidence. The family has said the justice system "completely failed" Lyra and them.

Prosecution's decision

According to Murphy, the prosecuting barrister concluded that a guilty verdict was not likely based on the admissible evidence, given the absence of eyewitnesses willing to testify.

Background

McKee rose to prominence in 2014 after publishing her blog post "Letter to my 14-year-old self." Her death prompted widespread attention, with the New IRA claiming responsibility and later offering apologies.

How to Listen

The Murder Detective begins on Channel 4 on Wednesday 26 August at 9pm.