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Lyra McKee killing: 'New IRA admits responsibility' | Lyra McKee killing: 'New IRA admits responsibility' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The so-called New IRA has admitted responsibility for the killing of journalist Lyra McKee, according to a Northern Irish newspaper. | |
In a statement given to The Irish News using a recognised code word, the group offered "full and sincere apologies" to her family and friends. | In a statement given to The Irish News using a recognised code word, the group offered "full and sincere apologies" to her family and friends. |
Ms McKee, 29, was shot in the head on Thursday night while observing rioting in Londonderry's Creggan estate. | |
Police say there has been a "massive response" to her killing. | Police say there has been a "massive response" to her killing. |
The statement from the New IRA comes after the hard-left republican political party Saoradh - which has the support of the New IRA - had previously sought to justify the use of violence on Thursday. | The statement from the New IRA comes after the hard-left republican political party Saoradh - which has the support of the New IRA - had previously sought to justify the use of violence on Thursday. |
Ms McKee was standing near a police 4x4 vehicle when she was shot after a masked gunman fired towards police and onlookers. | Ms McKee was standing near a police 4x4 vehicle when she was shot after a masked gunman fired towards police and onlookers. |
A protest by friends of Ms McKee took place on Monday outside an office in Derry used by dissident republican political groups. | A protest by friends of Ms McKee took place on Monday outside an office in Derry used by dissident republican political groups. |
A number of women smeared red paint in hand prints on republican slogans outside the office. | A number of women smeared red paint in hand prints on republican slogans outside the office. |
Police were present but did not make any immediate arrests. | Police were present but did not make any immediate arrests. |
Police said the public response to the killing had been "massive". | Police said the public response to the killing had been "massive". |
Det Supt Jason Murphy said there had been a "palpable change" in community sentiment in support of their investigation, in terms of off-the-record intelligence. | Det Supt Jason Murphy said there had been a "palpable change" in community sentiment in support of their investigation, in terms of off-the-record intelligence. |
He has urged members of the public to "come forward and have a conversation with me". | He has urged members of the public to "come forward and have a conversation with me". |
It is understood that police and the Public Prosecution Service have discussed what measures could be available to protect witnesses fearful of giving evidence at trial. | It is understood that police and the Public Prosecution Service have discussed what measures could be available to protect witnesses fearful of giving evidence at trial. |
The New IRA is believed to have been formed between 2011 and 2012 following the merger of a number of smaller groups, including the Real IRA, which itself was born out of a split in the mainstream Provisional IRA (PIRA) in October 1997 over Sinn Fein's embrace of the peace process. | The New IRA is believed to have been formed between 2011 and 2012 following the merger of a number of smaller groups, including the Real IRA, which itself was born out of a split in the mainstream Provisional IRA (PIRA) in October 1997 over Sinn Fein's embrace of the peace process. |
The New IRA has been linked with four murders. | The New IRA has been linked with four murders. |
Ms McKee's killing came 21 years after the Good Friday peace agreement was signed in Northern Ireland. | Ms McKee's killing came 21 years after the Good Friday peace agreement was signed in Northern Ireland. |
The 1998 peace deal marked the end in the region of decades of violent conflict - known as the Troubles - involving republicans and loyalists during which about 3,600 people are estimated to have died. | The 1998 peace deal marked the end in the region of decades of violent conflict - known as the Troubles - involving republicans and loyalists during which about 3,600 people are estimated to have died. |
The Good Friday Agreement was the result of intense negotiations involving the UK and Irish governments and Northern Ireland's political parties. | The Good Friday Agreement was the result of intense negotiations involving the UK and Irish governments and Northern Ireland's political parties. |
Ms McKee's funeral will be held at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on Wednesday. | Ms McKee's funeral will be held at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on Wednesday. |
Her partner, Sara Canning, said the service would be a "celebration of her life". | Her partner, Sara Canning, said the service would be a "celebration of her life". |