Man who stored Lyra McKee murder weapon sentenced to seven years

A man convicted of possessing the gun used to shoot journalist Lyra McKee has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Niall Sheerin (29) pleaded guilty earlier this year to possession of a pistol and ammunition with intent to enable another person to endanger life.

At a hearing in Belfast on Wednesday, judge Mr Justice Fowler handed down an extended custodial sentence of seven years’ imprisonment and a further five years on licence.

The gun used to kill the author — a Hammerli X-Esse .22 pistol — was found wrapped in plastic bags in a hollow behind a telegraph pole in a field in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry in 2020.

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Bullets and a spent ammunition magazine were also discovered in the package.

Ballistics tests showed the pistol had been used in five shootings in the city in the previous 21 months, including the April 18th, 2019, murder of Ms McKee.

The 29-year-old was shot dead as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of Derry.

The dissident republican organisation styling itself as the New IRA admitted responsibility for her murder.

DNA linked to Sheerin was found on the weapon.

The defendant, from Tyrconnell Street in Derry, admitted possession of the weapon on dates unknown between September 11th, 2018, and June 6th, 2020.

At an earlier sentence hearing, a defence barrister said Sheerin had no knowledge of how the weapon had been used prior to him storing it for a “short period of time”.

The crown contended that Sheerin was aware that he was storing a gun on behalf of the New IRA.

However, prosecutors accepted they could not establish whether the defendant would have been aware of the specific history of the firearm.

Meanwhile, a reward for information about the murder of Ms McKee has been doubled to £20,000 (€23,000).

PSNI detective superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said police were “very grateful” to the independent charity Crimestoppers for upping its reward.

“Our investigation into Lyra’s murder, as demonstrated by today’s sentencing, is very much active,” he said.

“And, with continued support, we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible before the courts. We are very grateful to the independent charity Crimestoppers, which is now offering an increased reward of up to £20,000 for information it receives that leads to the prosecution of those responsible.”

The PSNI said the pistol used to murder Ms McKee had a “significant history of being used in a series of shootings” across Derry, as well as being used in her killing.

Sheerin will be subject to terrorist notification requirements under the Terrorism Act for the next 15 years. — Additional reporting: PA