Two men charged with murdering Northern Ireland journalist Lyra McKee
16 September 2021, 23:27 | Updated: 17 September 2021, 00:00
Two men have been charged with murdering journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland.
The 29-year-old was shot dead in Derry in April 2019 as she observed rioting in the Creggan area.
Police said an extremist group calling itself the New IRA was responsible.
The two men who have been charged with her murder are aged 21 and 33, and they are also accused of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, riot, possession of petrol bombs, throwing petrol bombs and arson.
The 33-year-old has also been charged with robbery, while a third man, aged 20, has been charged with riot, possession of petrol bombs and throwing petrol bombs.
The three are due to appear at Londonderry Magistrates Court by video link on Friday morning.
A 19-year-old man who was arrested in a police operation has been released pending a report by prosecutors.
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said: "The tragic murder of Lyra McKee was a reminder that a small minority of individuals continue to seek to cause harm to communities.
"This was an utterly senseless and shocking crime and I applaud the continued work of the PSNI to bring those responsible to justice.
"The fact that serious charges have been brought forward, which includes two individuals being charged with Lyra's murder, is to be strongly welcomed and is testimony to that hard work.
"I would like to thank the PSNI and security partners for their dedication to keeping the people of Northern Ireland safe."
