‘Sincere apologies’: New IRA admits killing journalist Lyra McKee
- McKee was standing near police when she was shot in the head on Thursday in Creggan
- Northern Ireland police have arrested a woman under the Terrorism Act in connection with the slaying of the journalist
Dissident republican group the New IRA has admitted responsibility for the killing of Lyra McKee offering “full and sincere apologies” to her family and friends.
Later on Tuesday, the Northern Ireland Police Service said a woman was arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the slaying. The 57-year-old was taken to Musgrave serious crime suite in Belfast for questioning.
Two teenagers arrested over the shooting were released without charge on Sunday.
In a statement to the Irish News using a recognised code word, the New IRA acknowledged its members had killed the 29-year-old investigative journalist, who was shot dead in the Creggan estate in Londonderry on Thursday, and apologised to her relatives.
However, it also sought to justify its actions, characterising them as part of a defensive operation against enemy forces.
The statement read: “On Thursday night, following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage. We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy, and put in place measures to help ensure this.
