Lyra McKee: journalist’s family write to Derry people appealing for help

City of Derry Airport was lit up in rainbow colours this week to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of Lyra McKee.

The family is asking local people to help them “achieve justice for Lyra”.

Ms McKee was shot dead while observing rioting in Creggan on April 18, 2019. The New IRA said it was responsible.

In its letter, the McKee family write: “Our Lyra deserves justice. Our mother died of a broken heart in March 2020. She just could not live without her baby.

“Our mother did not live to see justice for our Lyra’s murder.

“Our family continue to struggle to deal with the loss of our sister and mother but we are determined to pursue justice for them both.

“We believe that you can help us”.

It’s understood the letter will be delivered to thousands of homes in the city ahead of the second anniversary of the journalist’s death on Sunday.

It also thanks the public for their help to date but says “this has not lead to the outcome we need: the arrest and conviction of the gunman who is ultimately responsible for robbing us of both our sister and our mother”.

Ms McKee was a writer and campaigner from Belfast who had only recently moved to Derry when she was killed.

The 29-year-old was standing near a police vehicle when a masked gunman fired towards officers and onlookers.

Her death caused widespread revulsion across Ireland and further afield.

Her funeral at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast was attended by then British prime minister Theresa May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Irish President Michael D Higgins.

Earlier this month, her family erected a number of billboards in Derry appealing for information about her death.

This week, Derry’s Guildhall and other council-owned building have been lit up in rainbow colours to mark the second anniversary of her killing.

Mayor Brian Tierney said: “Lyra was a tremendously positive person who had so much still to offer the world, and it is important that her spirit lives on in both our memories and deeds.

“My thoughts are with Lyra’s partner, Sara, her family and her friends as they mark another year without answers about her murder. They have shown immense bravery and determination in their campaign for truth and in honouring Lyra’s memory.”