New appeal from Lyra McKee’s family for information about her murder

The family of journalist Lyra McKee have launched an online campaign appealing for information ahead of the second anniversary of her murder.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2021, 09:26 GMT
Updated 6th Apr 2021, 09:29 GMT
Lyra McKee was shot during rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on April 18 2019. Police said that a gunman fired up to twelve shots towards officers. Ms. McKee was wounded in the head and later diedLyra McKee was shot during rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on April 18 2019. Police said that a gunman fired up to twelve shots towards officers. Ms. McKee was wounded in the head and later died
Lyra McKee was shot during rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on April 18 2019. Police said that a gunman fired up to twelve shots towards officers. Ms. McKee was wounded in the head and later died

The 29-year-old was shot dead by dissident republicans whilst observing rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on April 18 2019.

The online campaign justice4lyra.com, was launched by the family on what would have been Ms McKee’s 31st birthday.

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Originally from Belfast, Ms McKee had moved to the city to live with her partner just a few months before she was fatally injured.

Ms McKee won the Sky News Young Journalists award in 2006 and became an investigative reporter, writing for numerous newspapers, magazines and websites.

She was featured as one of the Forbes 30 under 30 and a rising literary star by the Irish Times.

The ‘New IRA’ admitted responsibility for killing her.

Launching the online campaign last week, Ms McKee’s sister Nicola Corner said more information is needed to bring the killers to justice.

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“The person who shot our Lyra continues to be free while we are prisoners in our pain,” she said.

She urged anyone with information to “end this nightmare and give Lyra the justice she deserves”.

Ms Corner said the message of the campaign was ‘very simple. Speak out for Lyra. Use your voice’.

The website also has video messages from Lyra’s eldest sister Joan and her niece Hannah, who are based in Canada,

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Later this month, on April 18, all Derry City and Strabane District Council buildings will be lit up to mark the anniversary of the murder of Ms McKee.

Lyra McKee was shot during rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on April 18 2019.

Violence had broken out after police raids in the city ahead of the Easter Rising commemorative parades.

Police said that a gunman fired up to twelve shots towards officers. Ms. McKee, who was on Fanad Drive and standing near an armoured police Land Rover, was wounded in the head. She was taken by police to Altnagelvin Area Hospital, where she later died.

• Ruth Dudley Edwards, page 17

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