New IRA admits responsibility for death of journalist Lyra McKee

By Press Association Reporters

The New IRA has admitted responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry.

Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18.

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.

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.

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

The statement 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."

Meanwhile,

The senior detective leading the investigation into the murder of Lyra McKee in Derry/Londonderry has revealed that since her senseless death in the city last week more than 140 people have contacted police with information via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP). 

Lyra, aged 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot in Fanad Drive on Thursday, 18th April. 

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said since her death on Thursday evening, the investigation to find her killer is continuing at a rapid pace. 

Detective Superintendent Murphy said: “We’ve had a massive public positive response to the investigation since Thursday evening. 

"This was an attack on the community. Lyra, tragically, was a random victim and I need the public to continue to support us. 

“Many witnesses have contacted us to give us information that has been provided to them. More than 140 people have contacted us via our MIPP with messages, including mobile phone footage. House-to house enquiries are continuing, and all of that is to be welcomed. 

“My challenge is, how do I convert that community intelligence and information into raw evidence that allows me bring offenders to justice. 

“My appeal today to witnesses who haven’t come forward to us is simple. Please, come forward and have a conversation with me. Come and talk to me. 

“I want to reassure people that you don’t have to commit to anything today. I just need to speak to people to understand what they know. We can then look at how we capture that information in the best way possible to protect  those witnesses and enable me to bring the gunman who killed Lyra McKee to justice.”

Detective Superintendent Murphy added: “We have sought as an investigation team since Thursday to be extremely sensitive in terms of how we are conducting this investigation for the community of Creggan. 

“I know there are people in the community who have information but feel they can’t come forward to us, who feel scared. We have sought prosecutorial advice from the Public Prosecution Service, and I want to reassure you that we will work with you sensitively and give you all the support we can.  

“If you have information, no matter how small, please contact detectives in the incident room on 101 or via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

“ I am continuing to appeal for those people who were in Fanad Drive and Central Drive on Thursday night and who have mobile phone footage to please come and speak with my detectives and provide us with your mobile phone footage. We do not need to hold on to your phone, we have necessary equipment that will allow us to download the footage quickly. Alternatively, you can use the Major Incident Public Portal at mipp.police.uk to upload footage or to tell us what they know.”

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy.