THE FAMILY of Lyra McKee have said “no stone will be left unturned” to get justice after three men were found not guilty of her murder.

Nichola Corner, the sister of journalist Ms McKee, also called for an end to the “culture of silence” in Northern Ireland which meant people did not come forward with information about the killing.

Ms McKee, 29, died after being hit by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing disturbances in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18 2019.

Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 38, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, faced a joint enterprise murder charge.

Judge Mrs Justice Smyth found all three not guilty of murder in the long-running non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court on Friday due to insufficient evidence in the prosecution case against the men which was wholly circumstantial.

She said the gunman has never been brought before court, and expressed regret that the trial will “not have brought any comfort” to Ms McKee’s family.

Speaking outside court, Ms Corner said: “Today has come as a complete and utter shock to us as a family.

“The system has completely failed Lyra and has failed our family, and has failed Northern Ireland, to be perfectly honest.

“There is also a situation which is ongoing in our country and has been for many years, and that people are afraid to speak out, they are afraid to tell the truth, they are afraid to share information that they have.”

“Over 150 people witnessed this event on the 18th of April 2019. Not one of those 150 people came forward with evidence.

“That culture of silence needs to stop in Northern Ireland, it is unfair to victims.”

On the night Ms McKee was killed, several petrol bombs had been directed at police and a car was set on fire during chaotic scenes which culminated in four shots being fired towards officers.

One of the shots hit Ms McKee.

The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of Ms McKee.