Lyra McKee murder: PSNI say new breed of killers joining ranks of dissident terrorists

THE senior PSNI detective leading the hunt for the killers of journalist Lyra McKee said that a new breed of terrorist is coming through the ranks of violent dissident republicans in the North of Ireland.

On Saturday morning, detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team arrested two male teenagers who they suspect are members of the dissident republican New IRA and were involved in shooting dead the 29-year-old in Creggan on Thursday night.

The 18 and 19 year olds were detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act and taken to the serious crime suite in Belfast for questioning.

Detective Supt Jason Murphy of MIT told the media at a press briefing at Strand Road police station in Derry that said terrorists were lurking in the shadows.

“What we are seeing is a new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks and that for me is a very worrying situation.”

He said there had been a sea change in community attitudes and that was demonstrated in the revulsion expressed by many at Thursday evening’s killing.

A gunman aiming to kill police shot Ms McKee in the head after he fired indiscriminately during disturbances in Creggan around 11 pm.

Det Supt Murphy also renewed a police appeal for witnesses to come forward with mobile phone footage from Thursday night which may assist with their murder investigation.

He said a large number of people were in the area of Fanad Drive and Central Drive that night, many of whom were using their mobile phones to record what may be “vital footage”.

“I would ask those individuals to please come and speak to my detectives and allow us to examine the video footage on their mobile phones.

“We don’t need to hold on to the mobile phones, we have made a facility specially available to enable us to download the footage and return the mobile phone to you.”

Alternatively, footage and images can be submitted to the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI19O09-PO1 or police can be contacted by phone on 101.

Police have already received “unprecedented support from the local community” and Det. Supt. Murphy thanked the public for seeking justice on Lyra’s behalf.

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