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
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
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
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
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
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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