New IRA admits being responsible for killing Lyra McKee

The New IRA has offered its ‘full and sincere apologies’ for shooting dead journalist Lyra McKee as police announced a 57-year-old woman over her murder. 

The republican splinter group ‘apologised’ for Ms McKee’s death today in a statement to The Irish News, during which it used a recognised code to say she had died while it was ‘in the course of attacking the enemy’. 

The woman was arrested under the Terrorism Act, although it is not yet clear what she is accused of.  

The New IRA has admitted responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee (pictured) in Londonderry during riots last week 

A gunman aiming to kill police hit the talented 29-year-old in the head on Thursday night after firing indiscriminately during riots in the Creggan estate. 

Her killing has been widely condemned across the political spectrum and sparked fears of a return to sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.  

In their statement the New IRA said: ‘On Thursday night following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage.

‘We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy, and put in place measures to help ensure this.

‘In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces.

‘The IRA offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death.’  

Police believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers, aimed at averting trouble associated with this week’s anniversary of the Easter Rising.  

Since her death more than 140 people have contacted police with information, detectives revealed yesterday. 

Two teenagers arrested over the murder of the talented young journalist and published author were released without charge on Sunday night. 

This CCTV image shows the man (circled) suspected of firing the shots that killed Lyra McKee at a protest in Londonderry on Thursday, April 18

This CCTV image shows the man (circled) suspected of firing the shots that killed Lyra McKee at a protest in Londonderry on Thursday, April 18 

Ms McKee was standing next to a police vehicle on the Creggan estate in Londonderry when she was shot in the head by a gunman from the new IRA group late on Thursday night

Ms McKee was standing next to a police vehicle on the Creggan estate in Londonderry when she was shot in the head by a gunman from the new IRA group late on Thursday night 

Who are the New IRA?

The New IRA is the biggest of the dissident republican groups operating in Northern Ireland.

It has been linked with four murders, including PC Ronan Kerr, who was killed by an under-car bomb in Omagh in 2011.

The group is also linked to the deaths of prison officers David Black, who was shot as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison in 2012, and Adrian Ismay, who died in 2016 after a bomb exploded under his van outside his home in east Belfast.

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 – the group behind the 1998 Omagh bomb.

It is strongest in Derry, north and west Belfast, Strabane in Co Derry, Lurgan in Co Armagh, and pockets of Tyrone.

This year the group was responsible for a car bomb outside the courthouse in Bishop Street, Derry.

The explosives-laden car was left on the city centre street on a Saturday night in January, and scores of people, including a group of teenagers, had walked past before it detonated.

The New IRA also claimed a number of package bombs posted to targets in London and Glasgow in March.

The pair, aged 18 and 19, were released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland as officers appealed to anyone with information to contact them. 

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said the investigation to find her killer is continuing at a ‘rapid pace’. 

Yesterday friends of Ms McKee protested against republican group Saoradh, who are associated with the New IRA, by putting red handprints on the walls of its headquarters in Londonderry.  

Lyra’s friend Sinead Quinn, who took part on Monday’s protest, said: ‘We have used red paint because they have blood on their hands for what has happened.

‘They have encouraged it, they have moulded these young  people into what they are and they are standing behind them handing them guns.’  

‘They need to take responsibility today for what has happened.

‘They have shirked it so far by saying it was an accidental shooting. You don’t shoot accidentally.’ 

About 150 members of the Saoradh group held a march in military colours wearing berets and sunglasses in the capital on Saturday.

Irish PM Leo Varadkar condemned their action, saying the march had dishonoured the Irish national flag.  

Republicans who embrace the peace process have also condemned their violent dissident counterparts, who reject the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.    

Protesters yesterday walked to Junior McDaid House in Londonderry, where they used a pot of red paint to place handprints on the side of republican group Saoradh's office walls

Protesters yesterday walked to Junior McDaid House in Londonderry, where they used a pot of red paint to place handprints on the side of republican group Saoradh’s office walls 

Saoradh's Brian Kenna (centre) and Dee Fennell (right) during their Easter commemoration at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast yesterday

Saoradh’s Brian Kenna (centre) and Dee Fennell (right) during their Easter commemoration at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast yesterday 

Tributes and flowers at the scene where the journalist was fatally shot on Thursday evening

Tributes and flowers at the scene where the journalist was fatally shot on Thursday evening

What is the timeline of the Northern Ireland troubles and peace process?

August 1969:

British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland to restore order after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry

30 January 1972:

On ‘Bloody Sunday’  13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry

March 1972

The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London 

1970s:

The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain 

April 1981

Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later

October 1984

An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party conference

Early 1990s:

Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it. 

April 1998

Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles. 

It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister.

2000s:

With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons

May 2011

The Queen and Prince Philip make a state visit to Ireland, the first since the 1911 tour by George V. 

In a hugely symbolic moment, the Queen is pictured shaking hands with Martin McGuinness – a former IRA leader.

Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said it was high time those involved in Lyra’s killing disbanded and ended their futile actions. 

Ms O’Neill addressed a commemoration of the Easter Rising battle for Irish independence at the City cemetery in Londonderry on Sunday. 

She said: ‘Sadly, what we have here is a small number of people caught in a time warp who have self-appointed themselves to carry out actions which are pointless, anti-peace, anti-community and frankly, antiquated. 

‘The people who brought guns on to the street, and those who organised them do not represent any version of Irish republicanism,’ Ms O’Neill told those gathered at the commemoration.

‘They have no politics, no strategy, and no popular support amongst the vast number of ordinary people from this city, or anywhere else in the country.’ 

Ms McKee’s funeral service will be held at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast on Wednesday, followed by a burial at the Carnmoney Cemetery.  

Days before her death, Miss McKee had told a friend, Ann Travers, about her plans to propose to her girlfriend Sara.

She said: ‘Lyra was going to New York with Sara in two weeks’ time and she was so excited because she was going to propose to her.’ 

The protest against Saoradh came as up to 200 members and supporters of the group took part in an Easter Monday commemoration march in west Belfast.   

The New IRA is an amalgam of armed groups opposed to the peace process and it recently claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March.

The group is also blamed for a Londonderry car bombing in January and has been linked to several other killings in the past decade.  

Catholic bishop Donal McKeown addressed Mass-goers on Sunday at a church just yards from where Miss McKee and her partner Sara Canning had made their home.

He said: ‘So, on this Easter morning, we gather with deep sadness in our hearts and without any simplistic message about the Resurrection.

‘But we gather with faith in a God who can write straight on crooked lines – and for whom love is always stronger than hatred.’ 

A message of condolence for 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee which has been graffitied on to the Free Derry Corner in Northern Ireland

A message of condolence for 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee which has been graffitied on to the Free Derry Corner in Northern Ireland 

Police officers search waste ground near the scene in the Creggan area of Londonderry where journalist Lyra McKee was fatally shot on Thursday

Police officers search waste ground near the scene in the Creggan area of Londonderry where journalist Lyra McKee was fatally shot on Thursday 

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