Mass to be offered in Creggan to mark first anniversary of the death of Lyra McKee

Lyra McKee was shot dead in April last year as she observed rioting in the Creggan estate.

Originally from Belfast, Lyra had moved to Derry to be with her partner Sara Canning.

She won the Sky News Young Journalists award in 2006 and became an investigative reporter, writing for numerous newspapers, magazines and websites.

Lyra was featured as one of the Forbes ‘30 under 30’ of emerging talent, and was also hailed as a rising literary star by the Irish Times.

Fr Joe Gormley, who anointed the 29-year-old journalist after she was shot dead, said the mass will remember Lyra but will also be offered for her mother Joan who passed away last month.

The mass will be available to watch via the Chapel’s webcam and the church bells will also ring to remember the promising young journalist.

Fr. Gormley said it was important that Lyra was remembered in the community where she lost her life.

“I think it is important to remember Lyra, who was so sadly murdered in our community, and it is an opportunity for us to pray for her once again. We will also pray for her family, Sara and everyone.”

The local priest said it was also an opportunity to remember Lyra’s mother Joan, who passed away last month just weeks before the first anniversary of her daughter’s death.

The mass will begin at 6:30pm on Saturday, April 18 and can be viewed at www.cregganchapel.com then the church bells will ring at 8:30pm.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists is to mark the anniversary of Lyra McKee’s death by celebrating her life and legacy.

The union has encouraged members and friends to take part in a symbolic virtual commemoration at 11am on Saturday morning, using social media to highlight the shared values which Lyra embraced under the banner #WeStandWithLyra

The NUJ has also asked media workers to share examples of Lyra’s journalism, tributes, memories and pictures.