‘Idiots’ – Kilkenny politician condemns killers who shot dead journalist Lyra McKee
A KILKENNY politician has launched a scathing attack on the dissident republicans believed to be responsible for the shooting dead of journalist Lyra McKee during rioting in Derry last night.
Denis Hynes, the local Labour General Election candidate, described the killing of the journalist as “outrageous”, adding: “Those who carried out this attack offer nothing to our nation.”
Mr Hynes, who is also running as a candidate in Kilkenny’s local elections next month, said: “We should be seeking to bring people together to work for a better life.
“We will not be dragged back to the nightmare of violence by these idiots.”
Mr Hynes (pictured below) was speaking as Ms McKee’s partner made an emotional appeal for peace at a vigil in Derry this afternoon.
Thousands of people gathered in the nationalist Creggan area to show their solidarity with the family and friends of the 29-year-old journalist.
“Lyra’s death must not be in vain,” her partner, Sara Canning, told the crowd as she fought back tears.
“Our hopes and dreams, her amazing potential was snuffed out by a single barbaric act. This cannot stand. Lyra’s death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else’s life.
“Her legacy will live on in the light that she’s left behind.”
The PSNI has launched a murder inquiry into Ms McKee’s killing. They believe the dissident group the New IRA was responsible for her death.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said police were carrying out searches in Creggan to look for munitions and firearms which they believe dissident republicans were planning to use in attacks in Derry over Easter.
More than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police and two cars hijacked and set on fire during a night of mayhem in Derry.
A gunman then fired at police, who did not respond to the violence and did not return fire.
Ms McKee was taken to hospital in a police Landrover, but died as a result of her injuries shortly afterwards.
