Committal proceedings in Lyra McKee case could go ahead on June 15

COMMITTAL proceedings against a man charged with the murder of Lyra McKee and another accused over rioting on the night she was shot are in a position to go ahead on June 15, a court has heard.

Paul McIntyre (52), of Kinnego Park in Derry, is charged with the murder of the 29-year-old as well as offences connected to the rioting on April 18 last year.

Christopher Gillen (39), of Balbane Pass in the city, faces charges in relation to the rioting that night.

At a hearing at Derry Magistrate's Court today, a prosecution barrister said there were five witnesses required - four of them police officers, who could give evidence remotely without objections.

The fifth was based in England and would probably have to come to court as he was giving evidence in relation to CCTV and photographs.

The barrister said they were "doing our best to get this on on June 15".

He also said that as far as he was aware the defence would be challenging whether this witness should be treated as an expert.

Eoghan Devlin, defence counsel for McIntyre, said there was one potential problem in that prisoners at Roe House in Maghaberry were objecting to anyone who leaves that facility returning, and so he wondered could a video link be facilitated from there.

He said this ultimately may lead to a court case on this point.

District Judge Ted Magill said there was another issue in that current guidelines allow only 10 people in the court room.

He said this would also apply in the Soldier F case in relation to Bloody Sunday which is scheduled for June 10.

The judge said due to interest in these cases there would be great difficulty catering to all who would want to attend.

He said it would not be possible for the public to access proceedings via the Sightlink system as this could not be controlled.

Anyone wishing to attend would have to be in the court building and this would mean "very small numbers".

He said this would be "a severe handicap to proceedings" and asked all the parties to consider this and any other issues they wanted raised.

The cases were adjourned until June 4.