Three men from Derry were cleared of murdering journalist Lyra McKee at Belfast crown court. The verdict followed a trial that began in May 2024 and was heard by Mrs Justice Smyth without a jury.
Prosecutors stated none of the three men fired the fatal shot but were part of a joint enterprise to assist the gunman. The defence challenged the prosecution's case as based on speculation.
The judge acknowledged the murder as an act of senseless violence and noted the gunman had not been brought to court. She regretted that the evidence did not meet the standard required for conviction.