Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.

The 29-year-old was shot dead during rioting in the Creggan area of Derry in April 2019.

This morning, 33-year-old Geroid Cavanagh of Elmwood Terrace in Derry and 21-year-old Jordan Devine of Synge Court in Derry appeared in court via video-link.

They were charged with Ms McKee’s murder as well as rioting, arson and the possession of a firearm, ammunition and petrol bombs.

Prosecuting lawyers told the court that the police case was that the two defendants were with the gunman who fired the shot on the night she was killed.

Defence lawyers told the court the evidence against the pair was weak.

They were granted bail by Judge Barney McElholm are due to appear in court again on October 7th.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a third man, aged 20, has been charged with riot, possession of petrol bombs and throwing petrol bombs.

A 19-year-old man, also arrested during the same operation, has been released pending a report to the North's Public Prosecution Service.

Ms McKee was shot dead as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of the city.

She was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman toward officers.

The attack was claimed by the New IRA, which said Ms McKee was caught in the line of fire.

One man, 53-year-old Paul McIntyre from Kinnego Park in Derry, has already been charged with Ms McKee's murder.

He is alleged to have committed a joint enterprise with an unknown gunman - by picking up the casings of the bullets used to kill Ms McKee.