Journalist shot dead in Londonderry ‘had her dreams snuffed out’
A journalist shot dead by dissident republicans had her dreams snuffed out by a barbaric killing, her partner said.
Lyra McKee, 29, was shot in the head during disturbances in Londonderry on Thursday evening.
Her partner Sara Canning said it was a senseless murder.
“Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act.”
She said it has left so many friends without their confidante.
“Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with.
She added: “This cannot stand, Lyra’s death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else’s life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind.”
"The death of Lyra McKee in last night's suspected terrorist incident in Londonderry is shocking and truly senseless. My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." – PM @theresa_may
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 19, 2019
The Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the fatal shooting of journalist and writer Lyra McKee in Derry. We are all full of sadness after last night’s events. We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 19, 2019
My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Lyra McKee, senselessly killed while doing her job as a journalist.
This shocking attack is a reminder of the vital importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland peace process.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 19, 2019
Police have blamed the anti-peace process New IRA for the killing after it fired handgun shots aimed at their officers in the Creggan estate.
Detectives believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble.
They said more than one person was involved in the murder.
