Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29-yr-old to get us to this point?
- FR MARTIN MAGILL LAMBASTS POLITICIANS AT FUNERAL OF KILLED JOURNALIST LYRA MCKEE
Mrs May speaks to Lyra’s family
Friends wear Harry Potter and Marvel gear GAY, straight, Catholic, Protestant, Tory, Labour, Republican, Unionist… they stood side by side mourning the loss of murdered Lyra McKee. It was the best tribute for a gay, nonsectarian journalist who had devoted her tragically short life to uniting people of all persuasions in Northern Ireland. Opening the funeral service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Dean Stephen Forde said: “Lyra was a person who broke down barriers and reached across boundaries. It was her hallmark in life, this is her legacy in death.” Lyra, 29, was killed by the New IRA as she observed a riot in Derry, shot dead by a bullet meant for a police officer. The next day, Good Friday, DUP leader Arlene Foster visited the republican heartland to express her grief and solidarity. Yesterday, she sat with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, her deputy Michelle O’Neill, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Tony Lloyd and Jeremy Corbyn, as Father Martin Magill commended the politicians for uniting
Coffin is carried into cathedral to condemn Lyra’s murder. And he got a standing ovation as he asked: “Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point?”
Lyra’s sister, Nichola Corner, said: “We can create a society where labels are meaningless. This is Lyra’s legacy.”
PM Theresa May, Labour leader Mr Corbyn, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins were also there to pay their respects to Lyra’s partner Sara Canning, 35, and mother Joan McKee, 68.
They were in solemn black, but other mourners wore outfits reflecting Lyra’s love of Harry Potter and Marvel Comics.
The New IRA this week apologised for killing Lyra, and Father Magill begged the gunmen to lay down their arms.
He said: “To those who had any part in her murder, I encourage you to reflect on Lyra McKee, journalist and writer, as a powerful example of ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’.
“I plead with you to take the road of non-violence. In death Lyra has united people of many different backgrounds.
“I ask you to listen to the majority of the people on your beloved island of Ireland who are calling on you to stop.” Lyra’s partner Sara