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Four men arrested in Derry over murder of journalist Lyra McKee

Suspects have been detained under the Terrorism Act

Rebecca Black
Tuesday 11 February 2020 11:10 GMT
Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Derry last April
Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Derry last April (PA)

Four people have been arrested in the investigation into the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.

The men were detained under the Terrorism Act in Derry on Tuesday morning and are being question in Belfast, a police spokesperson said.

McKee was shot dead while observing disorder in the Creggan area of Derry on 19 April 2019.

The New IRA claimed responsibility for the murder which sparked headlines and anger across the UK and Ireland.

Welcoming the arrests, chief constable Simon Byrne said that detectives are “working hard in the pursuit of justice”.

Senior investigating officer, detective superintendent Jason Murphy, renewed an appeal for information.

“I have always believed that some people within the community know what happened and who was involved,” he said. “I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us.

”I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today, as we approach the anniversary of Lyra’s murder.

“I want the community in Creggan to think about how that horrific attack impacted them personally and how it impacted the entire community.

“We saw wide-scale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice.

“I also know that many people were recording mobile phone video clips that night and whilst we had a huge response to my initial appeal for those videos, I believe that others may exist.”

The force asked for anyone with mobile phone footage to upload it to the Major Incident Public Portal here.

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