Journalist shot dead in Derry

[Chocolatepeanuts]

I cant see another post about this. 29 year old Lyra McKee shot dead when dissident republicans fire at police during riots. 21 years since the Good Friday agreement. Im frightened for our wee country and my children's futures.

Another family devastated .

www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-northern-ireland-47985469

I am frequently surprised that people keep ranting on about how great the GFA has been for NI. How things changed for the better after the GFA. People were released from prison under the GFA who, quite frankly, should never have seen the outside of a prison cell as long as they lived. The GFA was great for those of us who live in relatively good areas but for those who live in a huge council estate there has always been an underlying issue. The terrorists didn't just shut up shop when the GFA came into effect they simply diversified into "security" work, intimidation, drugs and prostitution. The PSNI know exactly who are involved in this type of situation but can't/won't arrest them for a multitude of reasons, including the main one that a lot of their information comes from informers who have to be protected. Too many concessions have been made - there comes a time when people need to be held accountable for their actions but no one has the balls to actually do it. Your house doesn't get earmarked for a search unless there is a good reason for it.

I can't believe this isn't headline/breaking news. I cannot believe Saordh's statement that it was in 'defence against the police' really? So police were live firing??

It's the lead story on BBC News at the moment.

Was she deliberately targeted?

Another one here devasted and also tearful at the utter lack of interest. I'm actually quite disappointed MN isn't up in arms from a feminist perspective at the very least.

Thoughts with all today. Honestly can't believe it.

Pretty much everyone knows that while they may have officially disbanded, they were only ever lying dormant.

Was she a crime journalist be any chance?

It’s so sad. Ireland as a whole changed so much in Lyra’s lifetime and she as a journalist and writer was able to communicate so eloquently on some of the huge issues with regard to LGBT issues and the aftermath of the Troubles.

SolitudeisGreat - that is so interesting and obvious really. And doesn’t get talked about. I’m Irish (Dublin) but live in the UK and I have been trying to explain to people why the whole Brexit issue is SUCH an issue. It is not going to take much - as we now see - for certain sectors of each side to think they have an excuse to start up again. It’s heartbreaking.

Does anyone have a link to the statement please?

She was an investigative journalist.

Immortalised in her social media posts last night.

Targeted I'm certain. She was standing next to a police vehicle. They would have hated that.

ChocolatePeanuts the statement is included in this article. Sorry for the long link

www.google.com/amp/s/www.derryjournal.com/news/crime/saoradh-claim-republican-volunteer-accidentally-shot-journalist-lyra-mckee-1-8897997/amp

It's all going to kick off again, isn't it?

Thanks implants. So cold and callous.

Absolutely shocking and heartbreaking. A very talented woman just doing her job to inform people of what was happening. I am also astounded at how little coverage it's receiving. I remember as a child that news or the conflicts became almost like "background noise" because it was all I had ever known but that was decades ago. Really concerned about what's potentially going to happen next.

Thanks for this thread. I've been sitting here quietly horrified too.

Four pipe bombs this week as well: two exploded.

'Crude device' found in Lisburn after fourth alert
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47959514

Her work:

Lyra McKee: Murdered Belfast journalist 'committed to truth'
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47987807

m.youtube.com/watch?v=5ymU-5Y3rkY Am amazingly articulate, bright young woman. She could have made big changes here given half a chance.

This is devastating. My thoughts are with Lyra's family and all who knew and loved her.

I'm Irish, from Cork. I am horrified that the cycle of violence could be starting again in Northern Ireland.

I was just watching her Ted talk. She was funny. This so horrifying.

To those who appear to be unable to read the whole thread (or who don't live here) - IT NEVER STOPPED - it simply took on a new face. Who do you think was responsible for intimidating shop/business owners for "protection" money? Who do you think was responsible for knee-capping people who didn't pay off their drug debts? More importantly, who got those people hooked on drugs in the first place?

Like I said earlier upthread - too many concessions were made to try and keep the peace and it failed spectacularly. Huge amounts of money were thrown at communities to try and bring them out of the dark ages but guess who works as the community leaders?
The only way to sort this place out is to stop playing nice and actually arrest and convict those responsible. Anyone with any history of a terrorist/paramilitary background should not be anywhere near a position of responsibility in Government (or anywhere else for that matter).

If that last comment was aimed at me - I don't actually have an agenda. I have lived here all my life and get a bit hacked off when people make out that all is fine and dandy here. It's not. I have huge sympathies for anyone who has suffered but there comes a time when we need to pull our heads out of our backsides and start being realistic. The "apology" given on behalf of the people involved in the shooting (linked by a PP) proves my point. I cannot think of anywhere else where this would be deemed normal.

I'm surprised that posters are saying there hasn't been much coverage, I dont know what's happened during the day but from 7 to 10am it was pretty much the only news story on BBC radio 5 There were many tributes.