Three men have been found not guilty of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry in 2019.
Judge Justice Smyth delivered her judgment in the long-running non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court on Friday.
Paul McIntyre, 58, of Kells Walk in Derry, Peter Cavanagh, 38, of Mary Street, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, of Bishop Street, faced a joint enterprise murder charge.
McKee, 29, was killed by a bullet as she stood close to police vehicles while observing violent riots in the Creggan area of the city on April 18, 2019.
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.
The New IRA claimed responsibility for the death of McKee. The gunman has never been brought to court.
While the men on trial had not been accused of firing the fatal bullet, the prosecution’s case was that the three men had accompanied a lone gunman on the night McKee was killed and encouraged or assisted him.
But defence barristers have criticised the standard of the evidence in the case, saying much was based on "pure speculation".
Speaking outside court, Lyra's sister Nichola Corner said the verdict was a "complete and utter shock".
She said the "system has completely failed Lyra, our family and Northern Ireland".
"Over 150 people have witnessed what happened - not one came forward," said Nicola. "The culture of silence needs to stop.
"This is not over, Lyra said if you're going to go down - go down fighting."
At the end of the hearing, the judge Justice Smyth, said the outcome of the trial would bring "little, if any, comfort or relief" to the family and friends of McKee, describing her murder as "an act of senseless violence."
The National Union of Journalists was represented at the hearing by Seamus Dooley, assistant general secretary, and Kevin Cooper, Belfast & District branch acting chair, who has been a union observer at a number of hearings.
Dooley responded to the verdict, saying: "The NUJ had hoped that Lyra's family would find solace by securing a conviction through the judicial process.
"Mrs Justice Smyth determined clearly and unambiguously that Lyra McKee had been murdered. However, not guilty verdicts were returned against the three accused.
"It remains a matter of grave concern that no one was charged with the shooting of Lyra McKee; the person who pulled the trigger got off scot-free. In this case, someone has gotten away with the murder of a journalist - just as happened in the case of Martin O'Hagan.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Lyra's family, partner, and friends at this incredibly difficult and distressing time."
Cooper added: "This has been a traumatic period for Lyra’s family, partner and friends. As Mrs Justice Smyth acknowledged in her closing remarks, today's outcome will not give Lyra's loved ones the peace they sought and to which they were entitled.
"They have waited a long time for judgment in this case and have been tenacious in pursuing justice while having to listen to the most awful, chilling evidence over the last two years.
"Our thoughts are with them all."
In total, nine men were on trial for various incidents during the violent riots in 2019. Between them they faced 52 charges, which were all denied.
It took the judge more than four hours to read out the verdicts and the reasons behind her conclusions.
While the three men were accused of murder, six others from Derry faced other charges including rioting.
Joseph Barr, 38, Jude McCrory, 28, Joseph Anthony Campbell, 25 and Patrick Anthony Gallagher, 34, were found not guilty of all of the charges they faced.
Kieran George McCool, 57, was found guilty of common assault while Christopher Joseph Gillen, 45, was found guilty of possessing and throwing petrol bombs, and riot.
None of the men gave evidence in their defence. All of them denied the charges which they faced.
Another defendant, William Patrick Elliott, 58, died last year.
