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Journalist shot dead in Derry during rioting in the city | Journalist shot dead in Derry during rioting in the city |
(32 minutes later) | |
A journalist has been shot dead during violence in Londonderry that police are treating as a "terrorist incident". | A journalist has been shot dead during violence in Londonderry that police are treating as a "terrorist incident". |
Dissident republicans are being blamed for killing 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. | Dissident republicans are being blamed for killing 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. |
Petrol bombs were also thrown at police Land Rovers. | Petrol bombs were also thrown at police Land Rovers. |
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. | Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. |
He said that a gunman fired shots towards police at about 23:00 BST and Ms McKee, who was standing near a police vehicle, was wounded. | |
"She was taken away from the scene in a police Land Rover to Altnagelvin Hospital but unfortunately she has died," said Mr Hamilton. | |
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said Ms McKee was "one of the most promising journalists" in Northern Ireland. | |
She was a journalist of "courage, style and integrity" and a "woman of great commitment and passion", said the union's assistant general secretary Séamus Dooley. | |
"I have no doubt that it was that commitment which led to her presence on the streets of the Creggan last night, observing a riot situation in the city." | |
Analysis by Julian O'Neill, BBC News NI home affairs correspondent | |
Dissident republican activity has been increasing of late, with police in Northern Ireland fearful of a spate of violent incidents marking the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. | |
An intelligence-led operation took them into Londonderry's Creggan estate late on Thursday night in a hunt for weapons and ammunition. | |
They were concerned they could be used in the days ahead to attack officers. | |
The group blamed for killing Lyra McKee is known as the New IRA and was behind a bomb attack outside the city's courthouse at the start of the year. | |
Read more: Dissidents had shown violent intentions | |
The violence broke out after police raids on houses in the Mulroy Park and Galliagh areas in Derry. | |
"Violent dissident republicans are planning attacks in this city and we were carrying out a search operation in Creggan," said Mr Hamilton. | "Violent dissident republicans are planning attacks in this city and we were carrying out a search operation in Creggan," said Mr Hamilton. |
Rioting began at Fanad Drive in the city and more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police and two vehicles hijacked and set on fire. | Rioting began at Fanad Drive in the city and more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police and two vehicles hijacked and set on fire. |
"I believe that this was orchestrated - orchestrated to a point that they just want to have violence and attack police," said Mr Hamilton. | "I believe that this was orchestrated - orchestrated to a point that they just want to have violence and attack police," said Mr Hamilton. |
"Bringing a firearm out is a calculated and callous act." | "Bringing a firearm out is a calculated and callous act." |
One reporter who was at the scene said a gunman "came round the corner and fired shots indiscriminately towards police vehicles". | One reporter who was at the scene said a gunman "came round the corner and fired shots indiscriminately towards police vehicles". |
"There were a number of houses with families - they had all spilled out on the street to see what was happening," added Leona O'Neill. | "There were a number of houses with families - they had all spilled out on the street to see what was happening," added Leona O'Neill. |
"There were young people, there were children on the street, there were teenagers milling about and a gunman just fired indiscriminately up the street." | "There were young people, there were children on the street, there were teenagers milling about and a gunman just fired indiscriminately up the street." |
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said the "intolerable actions" of those behind Ms McKee's murder were "rejected by the overwhelming majority of people who want to build a peaceful and more prosperous future for everyone in Northern Ireland". | Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said the "intolerable actions" of those behind Ms McKee's murder were "rejected by the overwhelming majority of people who want to build a peaceful and more prosperous future for everyone in Northern Ireland". |
Archbishop Eamon Martin, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, tweeted to ask for people to pray for Ms McKee's family. | Archbishop Eamon Martin, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, tweeted to ask for people to pray for Ms McKee's family. |
Sinn Féin's vice-president Michelle O'Neill said she was "shocked and saddened at the tragic news", adding: "I unreservedly condemn those responsible for killing this young woman." | Sinn Féin's vice-president Michelle O'Neill said she was "shocked and saddened at the tragic news", adding: "I unreservedly condemn those responsible for killing this young woman." |
DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: "Heartbreaking news. A senseless act. A family has been torn apart." | DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: "Heartbreaking news. A senseless act. A family has been torn apart." |
The SDLP's Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan tweeted: "Just leaving Creggan, heartbroken and angry at the senseless loss of a young life. | The SDLP's Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan tweeted: "Just leaving Creggan, heartbroken and angry at the senseless loss of a young life. |
"Violence only creates victims, that's all it ever has done. The thoughts and prayers of our city are with the young woman's family and friends, may she rest in peace." | "Violence only creates victims, that's all it ever has done. The thoughts and prayers of our city are with the young woman's family and friends, may she rest in peace." |