Tributes have been paid to 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee who was killed in the Creggan area of Derry/Londonderry last night.
The ‘New IRA’ has been blamed for the murder which has been called ‘sickening’ and ‘senseless.’ Lyra was shot in the head as she stood close to a police Land Rover during a night of violence.
She was recently named as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 stars.
A memorial fund has been set up in Lyra’s memory.
Shocked by news that woman shot dead in Derry last night has been named locally as @NUJofficial Lyra McKee. We are shocked by killing of a journalist of courage, style and integrity. Sympathy to her partner, family and many friends. @kathrynjohnston
— Séamus Dooley (@Seamusdo) April 19, 2019
I can’t believe Lyra McKee was murdered last night. She was at a point in her life when she was so happy & excited about life ahead of her. I feel sick & so angry. Why would anyone do this? Such a senseless, needless, cruel act. My thoughts are with Sara & all of Lyra’s family.
— Nichola Mallon (@NicholaMallon) April 19, 2019
I met Lyra McKee when she was seeking support to write a book about the murder of Unionist MP Robert Bradford, killed in 1981. 38 years later, Lyra herself is murdered. Investigative journalism is essential to democracy. Like Robert's murder, this was an attack on democracy.
— Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) April 19, 2019
Just woken to the terrible news Lyra McKee was shot in Derry last night. First met Lyra when she was 15, already burning with passion for journalism & justice. A fun, thoughtful presence on Twitter always. Beyond shocked her vibrant life has been ended by these toxic throwbacks
— Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna) April 19, 2019
Lyra McKee was a lovely human being . Her murder , like all murders , was pointless. Please give any information you have to @PoliceServiceNI and give Lyra the justice that she attempted to get for others , through her investigative journalism. In her memory please no violence
— Ann Travers (@AnnTravers6) April 19, 2019
Lyra McKee contacted me out of the blue a few years ago-she was in her early 20s-for advice and steer about a book she was writing. We kept in touch. I have known/written about too many of my own generation killed by terrorists. Now this.Murder solves nothing in NI. It never has.
— Alex.Kane (@AlexKane221b) April 19, 2019
Sick to my stomach at death of Lyra McKee in Derry. She was an inspiring thinker and journalist. Last night she was killed by a thug terrorizing people in Derry. Anyone with information should contact #PSNI .
In Memory Of Lyra McKee / https://t.co/fvINIjblky via @YouTube— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) April 19, 2019
A journalist was shot dead in Derry last night. A delegation of US politicians, including House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, visits a non-functioning Stormont today.
Today is Good Friday. Northern Ireland and the family of Lyra Mckee deserve better than this.
— Dr Elaine Byrne (@ElaineByrne) April 19, 2019
Devastating news about Lyra McKee. Here’s just some of her writing. There was so, so much more to come. https://t.co/D0O2iZx4ID https://t.co/U2nEiBIEph https://t.co/8TKywmSC3x
— Lucy Caldwell (@beingvarious) April 19, 2019
Me and @mepadraigreidy have set up a memorial fund for murdered investigative journalist Lyra McKee (to support the family and create a legacy for Lyra). Please donate here – https://t.co/IdfTbC3NB0 via @gofundme
— Michael Harris (@mjrharris) April 19, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Lyra McKee. Disgusting murder by terrorists who have needlessly cut short a young life. Society needs to reject these people once and for all. @ChiefConPSNI @PoliceServiceNI @NIPolicingBoard https://t.co/MAV5Ua1htg
— PFNI (@PoliceFedforNI) April 19, 2019
I note this morning that some elected representatives who are happy to speak for dissident Republicans at other times are today refusing interviews.
I hope the media will similarly refuse them airtime until they are willing to condemn Lyra McKee's murder unequivocally.
— Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) April 19, 2019