Northern Ireland: CFWIJ demands justice for murdered journalist Lyra McKee

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September 15, 2021- Lyra McKee, a 29-year-old writer and prominent investigative journalist, was shot on April 19, 2019, while covering a riot at the Creggan estate. She was taken to the hospital in a police vehicle but was pronounced dead. Police said that a group known as the “New IRA” was likely responsible for the murder. On Wednesday, after two years of investigation, police have arrested four men involved in the murder of Lyra McKee. The CFWIJ welcomes the arrest of the perpetrators and hopes they will be held responsible. Lyra was a talented and courageous journalist committed to social change through her writing. 

According to the latest reports, police have kept the four accomplices in the Serious Crime Suite at the Musgrave Police Station. The four men were apprehended under the Terrorism Act as the police investigated the murder as an act of terrorism. During the investigation, police concluded the shots were reportedly fired at the police force. Lyra, who was standing beside a police vehicle, was wounded during the shooting. She was rushed to hospital, but unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries. The group allegedly responsible for her murder is called the “New IRA.” One man was charged for Lyra’s murder on February 12, 2020, while another was convicted for inciting riots and associated crimes on the night of her murder.  

Graffiti was found in the Londonderry area on February 21, 2021, targeting Lyra McKee. According to resources, pictures of graffiti were found on Facebook one Sunday night before they were removed. Later, it was confirmed that the graffiti disrespecting Lyra in the Gobnascale area had been painted over. 

Rebecca Vincent, the UK Director for Reporters Sans Frontières, welcomed the arrests and demanded justice in a tweet, “The arrests of 4 new suspects in connection with the 2019 killing of journalist Lyra McKee are a welcome development, but highlight the continued need for full justice for her murder - and urgent steps to improve safety of journalists in Northern Ireland.”

The murder of Lyra McKee is part of an alarming pattern of organized threats and attacks against women journalists in Northern Ireland. The CFWIJ has closely followed the case of Patricia Devlin, a journalist based in Ireland who has faced harassment—on and offline— for nearly two years. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the arrest of four men responsible for Lyra’s murder, and demands justice be served. The CFWIJ calls on police authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of journalists in Northern Ireland.