Northern Ireland

Friends of Lyra McKee daub red hand signs on dissident HQ

Hand signs in red paint were daubed on Junior McDaid House in Derry overnight on Saturday.
Hand signs in red paint were daubed on Junior McDaid House in Derry overnight on Saturday. Hand signs in red paint were daubed on Junior McDaid House in Derry overnight on Saturday.

Friends of murdered journalist, Lyra McKee have marked the second anniversary of her death by daubing red paint handprints on the headquarters of dissident republican political group, Saoradh.

The red paint, symbolising blood, was daubed on the walls of Junior McDaid House at Chamberlain Street in Derry overnight on Saturday but was painted over yesterday morning. The incident was a repeat of a protest by the murdered journalist’s friends and supporters in the days following her death.

Ms McKee (29) was shot dead while standing beside a police Land Rover observing a riot in Derry’s Creggan on April 18 2019. Dissident republican paramilitary organisation, the New IRA later claimed responsibility for her death.

Prayers for Ms McKee were said at Masses yesterday at St Mary’s church in Creggan which is just yards from the scene of the Belfast writer’s death at Fanad Drive. Ms McKee’s family laid flowers at the scene and also at her grave in Belfast.

In a poignant tribute, the family left a message on a bouquet at Creggan reading: “In remembrance of our beautiful baby sister, Lyra. Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts.”

Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA in Derry on April 18 2019.
Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA in Derry on April 18 2019. Lyra McKee was shot dead by the New IRA in Derry on April 18 2019.

Ms McKee’s sister, Nichola McKee Corner said her family was unable to mark the first anniversary of her death last year because of the Covid-19 restrictions. In a message issued through the Justice4Lyra campaign, Ms McKee Corner thanked all who supported her family in the last two years and councils which lit public buildings in the Rainbow colours in memory of her sister.

“We also hope that the lights act as a reminder to all of us that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light,” she said.

The PSNI said the investigation into Ms McKee’s murder remained active.

“I want to re-state the commitment of the police service to work with the community as we collectively seek to release communities from the influence of terrorists,” Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said.