Lyra McKee hearing could be next year

By Court Reporter

A court was told today that it could be next year 'realistically' before a Preliminary Inquiry can be held in the case involving a man charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in April last year.

Paul McIntyre (52), of Kinnego Park, is charged with the murder of Ms McKee, possessing a firearm with intent, and belonging to a proscribed organisation.

He is further charged, along with 39-year-old Christopher Gillen, of Balbane Pass, with throwing and possessing petrol bombs, hijacking, arson and rioting on April 18, last year.

At a disclosure hearing today at Coleraine Magistrate's Court the court was told that there were still items of evidence that the defence had yet to receive.

Mark Mulholland QC for McIntyre said that they were still waiting for disclosure of certain things.

He said that in various emails police referred to a timeliness of events and the defence has yet to receive that.

He also said that there were issues around identification evidence against the accused.

There was also some discussion about the powers of a magistrate to order disclosure.

District Judge Ted Magill said that he appreciated that everyone was trying their best to progress this case.

He said that Covid 19 had been a huge 'spanner' blocking up the whole system.

The case was adjourned until September 28 to try and get the disclosure sorted out but the court was told that realistically it could be early next year before the actual hearing could go ahead.

Both the accused are currently on bail.