Details of messages in a Saoradh group chat on WhatsApp which mentioned the death of journalist Lyra McKee were heard at her murder trial.
The 29-year old was struck in the head by a bullet as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18 2019.
Three Derry men have been charged with murder, possessing a firearm and ammunition and other linked offences including rioting and both possessing and throwing petrol bombs.
They are Paul McIntyre (56) from Kells Walk, 23-year old Jordan Devine from Bishop Street and Peter Cavanagh (35) from Mary Street.
Seven co-accused, also from Derry, are facing charges including rioting and throwing petrol bombs.
They are Christopher Gillen (43) from Balbane Pass, Joseph Campbell (23) from Gosheden Gardens, Patrick Gallagher (32) from John Field Place, Jude McCrory (26) from Gartan Square, Joseph Barr (36) from Sandringham Drive, Kieran McCool (55) from Ballymagowan Gardens and William Elliot (57), also from Ballymagowan Gardens.
All ten defendants deny the charges.
The non-jury trial being held at Belfast Crown Court heard evidence gleaned from a mobile phone which was examined in the aftermath of Ms McKee’s death.
A constable from the PSNI’s Cybercrime Unit who examined the phone was asked about messages located in a Saoradh group chat on WhatsApp.
It's the Crown's case that members in the group chat include defendants McIntyre, Campbell, Gallagher, Barr and McCrory as well as other men not before the court.
The constable confirmed he retrieved a message sent from the owner of the phone, who is not before the court, which appeared on the group chat at 9.23am on April 19 2019.
The message said “something needs to go up for the journalist who died, sympathy statement or something”.
It’s the Crown’s case that another man in the group chat called Paddy Brexit, who the Crown say is Patrick Gallagher, replied a short time later.
This message said “this outcome is heartbreaking and we extend our sincerest sympathy to the family, friends and loves ones of the deceased”.
The constable confirmed that this message also contained a reference to the saoradh.ie website and a pathway to a statement regarding Lyra's death.
Prior to this, Judge Patricia Smyth heard evidence regarding Cavanagh's DNA being found on a burned out garment found close to where a car hijacked during the riot was later abandoned.
After shots were fired during the riot, a Vauxhall Mokka was hijacked by several masked men.
It was recovered nearby a short time later and an item of burned clothing was recovered close to it.
This item, which was seized by the PSNI, was consistent with a jacket which the Crown say was worn by Cavanagh at the scene of the riot.
An expert in DNA was called to give evidence and said that when the remains of a zip on the burned item was tested, Cavanagh's DNA was present.
He was then addressed by Cavanagh's barrister, John Kearney KC, who questioned whether or not it was possible to determine how the DNA was deposited on the item.
When Mr Kearney asked “you don’t know how or when the DNA got on this zip?”, the expert replied “that’s correct”.
At hearing.