Lyra McKee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lyra McKee
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McKee in 2017
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| Born | Lyra Catherine McKee 31 March 1990 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 18 April 2019 (aged 29) Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Alma mater | Birmingham City University (M.A.) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
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| Awards | Forbes 30 Under 30 (2016) |
Lyra Catherine McKee (/ˈlɪərə məˈkiː/ 31 March 1990 – 18 April 2019) was a brave journalist from Northern Ireland. She wrote about the lasting effects of a difficult time in history called the Troubles. Lyra also worked as an editor for Mediagazer, a website that collects news from many sources. Sadly, on 18 April 2019, Lyra McKee was shot and killed during a riot in Derry.
Contents
Lyra McKee's Early Life and Education
Lyra McKee was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 31 March 1990. Her journey into journalism started early, at just 14 years old. She began writing for her school newspaper at St Gemma's High School.
The next year, she joined a charity called Headliners. This group helps young people learn journalism skills. Through Headliners, Lyra won the Young Journalist Award from Sky News in 2006.
She later studied online journalism at Birmingham City University. She was working on her Master of Arts degree. After her death, she was given her MA degree in January 2020. Her sister, Nichola Corner, accepted it for her.
Lyra McKee's Journalism Career
In 2011, Lyra McKee joined Mediagazer, a website that gathers technology news. She became more widely known in 2014. This was after she wrote a popular blog post called "Letter to my 14-year-old self." This post talked about the challenges of growing up in Belfast. It was later made into a short film.
Lyra's articles appeared in many different newspapers and magazines. Some of these included Mosaic (which was also printed by The Atlantic), The Belfast Telegraph, Private Eye, and BuzzFeed News. In 2016, Forbes magazine recognized her talent. They named her one of their "30 under 30 in media" for her work as an investigative reporter.
Lyra McKee's Books and Research
At the time of her death, Lyra's first non-fiction book was about to be published. It was called Angels with Blue Faces. This book was about the killing of Belfast MP Robert Bradford by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Lyra had used crowdfunding to help pay for its publication.
She had also signed a deal to write two books with Faber and Faber. Her second book, The Lost Boys, was planned for release in 2020. However, it was not finished before she died. This book was about the disappearances of Thomas Spence and John Rodgers in Belfast in 1974.
Lyra often wrote about the effects of The Troubles. She was researching unsolved killings from that time in Northern Ireland. In March 2019, she was featured as one of the "10 rising stars of Irish writing" by The Irish Times.
Public Speaking and Charity Work
In 2017, Lyra gave a TEDx talk called "How uncomfortable conversations can save lives." She spoke about the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting. In 2018, she became a trustee for Headliners. This was the same charity that helped her start her journalism career as a teenager.
Lyra lived in Derry with her partner, Sara Canning, who is a nurse. It was later shared that Lyra had been planning to ask Sara to marry her. She had even bought an engagement ring.
Lyra McKee's Death
On 18 April 2019, Lyra McKee was shot during a riot in the Creggan area of Derry, Northern Ireland. The violence started after police searched homes to find weapons. These searches were done before parades to remember the Easter Rising.
The disturbances happened on Fanad Drive. Young people threw petrol bombs and set two vehicles on fire. Police said that a gunman then fired shots towards police officers. Lyra McKee was on Fanad Drive, standing near a police vehicle, when she was hit in the head.
Videos showed a masked gunman, believed to be from a group called the New IRA, firing a handgun. Police took Lyra to Altnagelvin Area Hospital, but she sadly died there. Police said that dissident republicans were responsible for her death. Lyra McKee was the first journalist killed in the UK since 2001.
She was survived by her partner, her mother, two brothers, and three sisters.
Funeral and Vigils for Lyra McKee
Lyra McKee's funeral was held at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, on 24 April. Many important people attended, including British Prime Minister Theresa May and Irish President Michael D. Higgins. Leaders from different political parties in Northern Ireland also came. Members of the National Union of Journalists formed a special line of honor. When Lyra's coffin arrived, the public waiting outside applauded.
A vigil was held at the place where she was killed on 19 April. Many political figures attended this gathering. Another vigil took place at Belfast City Hall.
Reactions to Lyra McKee's Death
British Prime Minister Theresa May called the killing "shocking and senseless." She said Lyra "died doing her job with great courage." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that people who want violence should not be allowed to take Northern Ireland back to the past. Irish President Michael D. Higgins stated that losing a journalist is "an attack on truth itself."
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who had visited Derry earlier that day, also spoke out against the murder. Religious leaders from different faiths condemned the attack. Former US President Bill Clinton also sent his condolences. Séamus Dooley, a leader of the National Union of Journalists, called Lyra "a journalist of courage, style and integrity."
The leaders of Northern Ireland's main political parties released a joint statement. They condemned Lyra's killing, calling it "an attack on all the people of this community." They said it was a "pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years." They also supported the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who were the intended targets of the attack.
Investigations and Legal Actions
The investigative website Bellingcat published a report about the shooting. Police arrested two young men, aged 18 and 19, in connection with Lyra's murder. They were later released without charges. On 23 April, a newspaper reported that the New IRA group admitted responsibility. They said Lyra was not their intended target and apologized to her family. Police also arrested a 57-year-old woman, who was later released.
A charity called Crimestoppers offered a reward for information leading to a conviction. The police also offered to keep witnesses' identities secret.
Another journalist, Leona O’Neill, who saw the shooting, later received online threats.
In February 2020, four men were arrested in Derry. A 52-year-old man was charged with Lyra's murder the next day. In June 2020, the gun used in the shooting was found by police. A 28-year-old man was charged with having the gun. In 2021, prosecutors said the gun had been used in four other attacks. In September 2022, the man was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing the gun.
On 10 March 2023, two men appeared in court. They were charged with Lyra's murder and other crimes related to the riot. They denied the charges, and a full trial will be held later.
Media About Lyra McKee
Lyra McKee and her friends' efforts to get justice are featured in a documentary film. It is called The Real Derry Girls and was made by Peter Taylor for the BBC.
Another film, Lyra, was made by Alison Millar, who was Lyra's mentor and friend. This film was shown in cinemas in 2022. It is planned to be broadcast on Channel 4 in 2023. The film has won several awards, including the Tim Hetherington award.
See also
In Spanish: Lyra McKee para niños
- List of journalists killed in Europe
