Man charged with the murder of gay journalist and activist Lyra McKee
Lyra McKee was shot dead in Derry. (PH)
Northern Ireland police have charged a 52-year-old man in connection with the murder of gay journalist Lyra McKee.
McKee, 29, was shot dead while reporting on riots in Londonderry, April 18, 2019, in the heavily Catholic Creggan neighbourhood.
More than a byline, the reporter’s death rippled across the country, receiving an outpouring of grief in the LGBT+ community.
Four men were arrested this week under the Terrorism Act in connection after the New IRA claimed responsibility.
Representatives claimed she had been shot accidentally by a member while they fired at officers while riots during the 21st anniversary of the Good Friday agreement spilt onto streets.
Man charged in connection to death of Lyra McKee, police say.
The suspect was arrested by detectives yesterday and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite.
He was later also charged in possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.
A statement from Northern Irish police released Wednesday said: “The man, from the city who was arrested by detectives yesterday and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite, is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation.
Man charged with murder of Lyra McKee pic.twitter.com/zgMVdFa2sr
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 12, 2020
“He will appear at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Thursday, 13 February.”
Detective superintendent Jason Murphy added: “I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active and ongoing.”
McKee was planning to propose to her girlfriend at the time of her death.
McKee was just 29-years-old when she was shot dead last year and had recently signed a two-book deal with Faber & Faber.
She had been planning to propose to her partner Sara Canning on an upcoming trip to New York, but violence in Derry cut their time together short.
Since her death, same-sex marriage has been legalised in Northern Ireland – but McKee never got to see it happen.
McKee had many achievements during her lifetime, including a viral letter she wrote to her 14-year-old self.
