Londonderry man ‘centrally involved’ in events surrounding Lyra McKee murder fails in bail conditions bid

The Belfast Recorder said that due to "increased violence and tension in Creggan as a result of the activities of violent dissident republicans", there was a risk that if allowed to return home, McIntyre would re-offend.

The accused, of Rinmore Drive in Derry, is currently on bail awaiting trial on charges linked to Ms McKee's murder.

The 29-year-old journalist was shot by dissidents during a riot in the Creggan area of the city in April 2019.

McIntyre has been charged with, and denies, murdering Ms McKee, possessing a firearm and membership of a proscribed organisation.

He will also stand trial this November on a separate charge of rioting in the Bogside area of Derry on May 28, 2018.

McIntyre's barrister, Joe Brolly, said the accused was "hotly contesting" this charge.

Before making his ruling, Judge Fowler heard submissions from both the Crown and defence.

A Crown barrister said the request to vary McIntyre's bail to allow him to return to Ballymagowan Park was opposed for several reason.

Saying McIntyre had links with Saoradh - the alleged political wing of the New IRA - the prosecutor said: "Police believe a return to his home address, where there is a high concentration of Saoradh members and like-minded associates, would greatly increase the risk of further offending."

The prosecutor raised concerns about the recent arrests of Saoradh members for alleged terrorist offences.

She also told Judge Fowler: "Since January 1 2021, there have been six males shot in five separate incidents and those have been paramilitary-style attacks within the Creggan area.

"Police believe the New IRA are responsible for these shootings."

Another objection raised by the Crown was McIntyre's alleged offending and breach of bail following the May 2018 riot.

This included being accused of being "centrally involved" in the events surrounding Ms McKee's murder in April 2019.

The barrister said it was the Crown's case that on the night of the riot, McIntyre was involved in the hijacking of a truck, the petrol bombing of police vehicle and the intimidation of a community worker who tried to intervene.

She said he was also accused of “providing assistance to the gunman who fatally shot Ms McKee”.

Defence barrister, Joe Brolly, urged Judge Fowler to allow McIntyre to return home and live with his son.

Pointing out that his client was already allowed into Creggan three times a week to see his mother, Mr Brolly said banning him from returning home would not decrease his changes of encountering Saoradh members.

Saying there were "hundreds and hundreds of Saoradh members scattered across the city", Mr Brolly added membership of the organisation was “entirely legal”.

After listening to the submissions, Judge Fowler said he felt it was "appropriate to exclude" McIntyre from living at his home address.

Judge Fowler said that following the May 2018 riot charge, McIntyre has been charged with further offending, including those linked to Ms McKee.

Judge Fowler also voiced concerns about the arrests of Saoradh members for "serious offences".

He continued: "I'm satisfied there is increased violence and tension in Creggan as a result of the activities of violent dissident Republicans.

"I'm further satisfied that due to the defendant's conduct on bail and the continued terrorist-related activities in the Creggan area, to allow the defendant to reside at his home address would lead to an increased likelihood of further offences by this applicant.

"I am satisfied there remains a high risk of the applicant becoming involved in further offending and I refuse the bail variation."