Man charged with murder of journalist Lyra McKee
A 52-year-old man from Derry has been charged over the killing last year.
By Will Stroude
A 52-year-old man from Derry, Northern Ireland has been charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed a man had been charged with the murder of 29-year-old McKee, who was shot while observing disorder in the city’s Creggan estate last April.
The suspect has also been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation, BBC News reports.
He is due to appear at Derry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (13 February).
The breakthrough in the investigation into Lyra’s death comes after four men were arrested earlier this week in connection with the killing, for which the New IRA later accepted reponsibility.
Det Supt Jason Murphy said that a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night of the killing and investiations remained “active and ongoing.”
McKee, who had moved to Derry from Belfast shortly before her tragic death, was a fast-rising journalist and LGBTQ activist who had written for publications including BuzzFeed and The Atlantic.
Lyra McKee, pictured here with her partner Sara Canning (right) was a fast-rising journalist
Her death sparked an outpouring of grief across Northern Ireland and the world, with national figures including the then Prime Minister Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, and the DUP’s homophobic leader Arlene Foster attending her funeral.
Lyra – was was honoured with an Attitude Pride Award last summer, left behind her partner, Sara Canning, who has since played a vocal role in getting marriage equality legalised in Northern Ireland.