All of us at Northern Slant were shocked and saddened by the devastating news overnight that Lyra McKee had been murdered. She worked with us on a panel discussion last year about how we can tell Northern Ireland’s story in a way which can be shared by everyone here whatever their background or political persuasion. She was, without a doubt, one of its best storytellers, with what would have been a remarkable career before her. To have someone so young, so brilliant, so good, in every sense, stolen like this is simply heartbreaking. We send our sympathies this morning to everyone who loved her – which was everyone who met her.
The many tributes to her on Twitter tell their own story. Here are just some.
Devastating news that North Belfast's finest, @LyraMcKee, was shot dead in Derry. What a horrific loss for all those who loved her – and if you met her, you did. A bundle of energy and joy who finally won her book deals and found her great love. Her poor family. Absolute madness pic.twitter.com/tIH4rnidaL
— Ciarán MacAirt (@ciaranmacairt) April 19, 2019
Lyra McKee: Woman killed in Derry violence was a 'rising star of investigative journalism'
https://t.co/SBHlAu5Oso pic.twitter.com/pxVcpFBiLn— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) April 19, 2019
Lyra McKee was dedicated to covering the lasting trauma & violence of the Troubles. Devastating to hear she was killed tonight by that same violence.
I was Lyra’s editor on this story, and it was an honor. Sharing her work now is all I can think to do. https://t.co/conwNzyjnF
— Lilly Dancyger (@lillydancyger) April 19, 2019
This introduced so many to Lyra McKee.
"The Ceasefire Babies was what they called us. We were the Good Friday Agreement generation, destined to never witness the horrors of war but to reap the spoils of peace. The spoils just never seemed to reach us"https://t.co/Rs2oiOTbDa
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) April 19, 2019
Such terrible news about Lyra McKee the journalist killed last night. Lyra had been working with WAVE on a book about young men who had gone missing in the 70’s.She was such a caring woman, full of vitality and dedicated to her work. Such a senseless loss of such a young life.
— WAVE Trauma Centre (@WAVETrauma) April 19, 2019
Lyra was a great journalist, and a fierce activist for LGBTQ rights. This @TEDTalks video is a great example of her passion, humor, and caring. Watch this. https://t.co/1p9cMHxhKm
— Josh Stearns (@jcstearns) April 19, 2019
Rest in Power Lyra McKee. You did so much amazing work for our community.
Growing up gay in Belfast: ‘I used to bargain with God not to send me to hell’ https://t.co/O6WuEAxeeS
— Sharon Nolan (@shar_nolan) April 19, 2019
Lyra McKee was everything you wanted to be in life, honest, funny, sincere, caring, I remember how she always wanted to help with our homeless group, she always genuinely cared about everyone around her & beyond. Can’t actually take in what I’ve woke up to 💔💔💔
— ian shanks (@shanksy_74) April 19, 2019
Today is Good Friday. None of us should awaken to learn of a murder and especially that of one of our leading LGBTQ Rights activists.
We all, Northern Ireland & the family of Lyra, deserve better.
My comment: pic.twitter.com/acL9WTQw0v
— Glenn Bradley (@BradleyGJ) April 19, 2019
Lyra McKee was the woman who encouraged me to write. My heart is broken. A bright light has been blown out. And for what? For what? pic.twitter.com/bIWCCYiaMI
— Grumpy Unicorn Of Hell 🦄 (@Donnan_S) April 19, 2019
I’m in shock. Lyra was the essence of freedom in society. Unfraid to think the unthinkable. Brave, courageous. Unencumbered by class or tribal background. Of exactly the calibre Northern Ireland needs to get beyond the bloody perhatory her killers insist on keeping us trapped in. https://t.co/4kyg48Yoxk
— Mick Fealty (@mickfealty) April 19, 2019
Tributes pour in for Lyra McKee, the journalist who was shot dead during rioting in Derry https://t.co/WJkTXYxDBG
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 19, 2019