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23/04/2019
UUP: The New IRA Statement Is Beneath Contempt
Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann has described a statement issued by the new IRA, in which the organisation admitted responsibility for the murder of Lyra McKee last week, as "beneath contempt" and called for the group to be permanently disbanded.
The 29-year-old journalist died after she was shot during a night of rioting between police and dissident republicans in the Creggan area of L'Derry on Thursday 18 April.
Addressing the fatality this morning, the organisation said: "We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy and put in place measures to help ensure this.
"The IRA offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death."
The north Antrim MLA has since branded the statement as useless, following a wave of condemnation from the political and wider communities.
"They have been rejected by the very community they claim to be defending and they are shamed in the eyes of the world," he commented.
"Their 'full and sincere apologies' are of no use or comfort to anyone. And to try to imply that Lyra somehow contributed to her own death because she was 'standing beside enemy forces' shows their tenuous grip on reality.
"I doubt these fanatics pledge that they have instructed their untrained teenagers 'to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy and put in place measures to help ensure this' will provide much reassurance to anyone.
"This gang needs to be rejected by all. They then need to be rounded up and put behind bars and out of business. There should be no pandering to them or their so-called political representatives. For the sake of society here they must be closed down permanently."
(JG/CM)
The 29-year-old journalist died after she was shot during a night of rioting between police and dissident republicans in the Creggan area of L'Derry on Thursday 18 April.
Addressing the fatality this morning, the organisation said: "We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy and put in place measures to help ensure this.
"The IRA offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death."
The north Antrim MLA has since branded the statement as useless, following a wave of condemnation from the political and wider communities.
"They have been rejected by the very community they claim to be defending and they are shamed in the eyes of the world," he commented.
"Their 'full and sincere apologies' are of no use or comfort to anyone. And to try to imply that Lyra somehow contributed to her own death because she was 'standing beside enemy forces' shows their tenuous grip on reality.
"I doubt these fanatics pledge that they have instructed their untrained teenagers 'to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy and put in place measures to help ensure this' will provide much reassurance to anyone.
"This gang needs to be rejected by all. They then need to be rounded up and put behind bars and out of business. There should be no pandering to them or their so-called political representatives. For the sake of society here they must be closed down permanently."
(JG/CM)
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23 April 2019
Woman Arrested Over Lyra McKee Murder
A 57-year-old woman has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Lyra McKee. The journalist, aged 29, was shot dead during a night of rioting in L'Derry on Thursday evening, 18 April. The PSNI's Major Investigation Team made the arrest this morning, 23 April, under the Terrorism Act.
Woman Arrested Over Lyra McKee Murder
A 57-year-old woman has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Lyra McKee. The journalist, aged 29, was shot dead during a night of rioting in L'Derry on Thursday evening, 18 April. The PSNI's Major Investigation Team made the arrest this morning, 23 April, under the Terrorism Act.
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Former Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has challenged the DUP to publish their detailed proposals for ‘A Fair Deal’. In a statement, the UUP councillor said that now the Joint Declaration had been published - and with an IRA statement imminent - the time was right to see what alternatives the DUP could offer.
Empey challenges DUP to publish alternative proposals
Former Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has challenged the DUP to publish their detailed proposals for ‘A Fair Deal’. In a statement, the UUP councillor said that now the Joint Declaration had been published - and with an IRA statement imminent - the time was right to see what alternatives the DUP could offer.
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IRA statement offers lifeline for failing process
The IRA have dramatically revived hopes of a last minute breakthrough in the peace process by agreeing a method with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) that will see its weapons put arms completely and verifiably beyond use.
IRA statement offers lifeline for failing process
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16 October 2019
NIO Slammed Over Video Featuring Lyra McKee's Family
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is facing criticism over a video it released featuring Lyra Mckee's sister making a heartfelt plea for a return to government. Alliance MEP Naomi Long said the post, which shows Nichola Corner calling for local politicians to reestablish power-sharing, is an "appalling manipulation of the family's grief".
NIO Slammed Over Video Featuring Lyra McKee's Family
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is facing criticism over a video it released featuring Lyra Mckee's sister making a heartfelt plea for a return to government. Alliance MEP Naomi Long said the post, which shows Nichola Corner calling for local politicians to reestablish power-sharing, is an "appalling manipulation of the family's grief".
18 April 2003
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
