Northern Ireland: Lyra McKee, Still Searching for Justice 5 Years On
Lyra McKee stood as a beacon of truth and hope, her voice resonating with the aspirations of a new generation in Northern Ireland. She was openly gay and fiercely anti-sectarian. She used her experience of growing up in a working-class community scarred by conflict to fuel powerful journalism. Her promising career was violently cut short when she was shot dead at 29 years old while reporting in 2019. The gunman who ended her life remains at large. Despite some progress, justice still eludes her family and loved ones. On the fifth anniversary of her senseless death, Women Press Freedom celebrates the life and work of Lyra McKee and continues to call for justice. Those involved in her murder must be held accountable.
Lyra McKee, born in Belfast in 1990, represented a generation reared in peace after years of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Lyra’s work delved into the complexities of her home country, from the lingering shadows of conflict (the Troubles) to the struggles for LGBTQI equality, women's rights, and the alarming rate of youth suicides.
Her journalism showcased her understanding of modern Northern Ireland. A generation of young people no longer simply defined by the violence of the past but one that is seeking equality and acceptance that transcends sectarian backgrounds.
Lyra gathered numerous accolades and had signed a two-book deal with Faber a year before her death. Growing up in a working-class home, she fought hard to be a journalist.
“There were barriers to her in the world of journalism, which was quite a middle-class environment,” explains her sister Nichola Corner-McKee. “There were lots of barriers in her life growing up. But she always persevered.”
Her murder, the last linked to the Troubles, shook Northern Ireland and the world.
“There were barriers to her in the world of journalism, which was quite a middle-class environment. There were lots of barriers in her life growing up. But she always persevered.”
Lyra was killed while covering a riot in Derry, Northern Ireland on April 18, 2019. She was shot in the head while reporting on the unrest. A dissident republican group, the New IRA, admitted responsibility for her murder, and several men have been arrested in connection with her killing. Despite charges against some suspects, the main gunman remains unidentified and free. The trial against those charged has yet to start.
Two men from Derry, Peter Cavanagh and Jordan Devine, were charged with Lyra’s murder in January 2023. They, along with six others, also face charges of rioting on the night of the shooting. The preliminary inquiry hearing found sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The accused deny the charges and are currently on bail awaiting trial in Belfast.
“Our family has been left with a life sentence, a life without Lyra, and we didn’t commit any crime. And Lyra was given a death sentence.”
Another man, Niall Sheerin, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing a gun believed to be linked to Lyra's murder. He wasn't sentenced in connection with the murder due to insufficient evidence directly linking him to the crime.
The legal process has faced delays and false starts, adding to the anguish of Lyra's family.
“Our family has been left with a life sentence, a life without Lyra, and we didn’t commit any crime. And Lyra was given a death sentence,” says Lyra’s sister Nichola Corner-McKee.
Her family continues to advocate for justice, calling for the leadership of the New IRA to be held to account, awaiting the arrest of the gunman, and for the trials against those being charged to begin.
“We’re in limbo,” says Nichola. “Some of these men have gotten bail, but we never get free from it. There are no bail variations for us. Lyra deserves justice. She has human rights too.”
An award-winning 2022 documentary on the journalist, titled “Lyra,” shows the depth of the loss of the young reporter. The film repurposes recordings of Lyra, snippets from her dictaphone, and interviews with those who knew her to tell her story.
According to her sister Nicola, “Lyra wanted to change the world. She wanted to use her voice to do so.”
Lyra was not only a talented journalist but a kind and charming sister, daughter, and girlfriend, who inspired all who knew her. Her loss is felt every day by those close to her.
"We lost something so special,” says her sister Nicola five years on from her murder. “We lost Lyra's light."
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Lyra’s family and loved ones in their pursuit of justice. While progress into Lyra’s killing has been made with arrests and charges, the ultimate goal of bringing all responsible parties to justice, including the main gunman, remains elusive. There is an urgent need for accountability.
We demand the leadership of the New IRA cease prolonging this anguish and disclose information regarding the identity of the gunman. Those already implicated must face prosecution, and legal proceedings against them should commence without delay. The prolonged wait for a trial date only exacerbates the suffering endured by Lyra’s family. While we commend the efforts of police in pursuing justice for this heinous crime, we implore anyone in the community with pertinent knowledge to step forward and help alleviate the pain experienced by Lyra’s family.
Lyra’s life was robbed from her and her family. We cannot allow justice to be taken from them too.
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