Two more men have been charged in Northern Ireland for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in 2019. McKee was shot and killed standing next to a police car at a protest in Londonderry, while covering riots in the city. In 2020, a 53-year-old man was already charged with the murder. His lawsuit is not yet completed.
The New IRA, an offshoot of the banned paramilitary organization IRA, confessed that members had fired. These were intended for the police, described by the New IRA as “enemy forces”. The New IRA seeks independence from Britain and reunification with Ireland.
The now charged suspects are 21 and 33 years old. In addition to murder, they are charged with possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as causing riots and possession and throwing of petrol bombs and arson.
The riots in 2019 arose in the run-up to the Brexit agreement between the EU and the UK. The border between Ireland and Northern Ireland threatened to close, which would have been unpalatable to Catholic Northern Irish seeking reunification with Ireland.
The suspects will be brought before the Londonderry court today via video link.
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