Lyra McKee and her mum Joan who passed away in March this year
In a joint statement from the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, and Father Martin Magill, Parish Priest of St John’s Parish, they praised First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill for “seizing the moment” of Lyra’s funeral to find a way to set up a government.
Today, Friday, April 24, marks the first anniversary of the journalist’s funeral which was held in a packed St Anne’s Cathedral.
The journalist and author was shot dead while observing orchestrated rioting against the PSNI in Derry’s Creggan oon Thursday, April 18 last year.
During her funeral, Fr Martin asked why it took Lyra’s death to get NI’s leaders together.
“At the request of Lyra’s family, we were privileged to lead Lyra’s funeral service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, one year ago, on April 24, 2019,” said the joint statement from Fr Martin and Rev Forde.
“It was an emotionally charged service for all who attended, including the Irish President and Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition.
“Also in attendance were the leaders of all the political parties in Northern Ireland – then deadlocked in their inability to re-establish the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The packed congregation at St Anne’s in Belfast last month for tje celebration of life of murdered journalist Lyra McKee in April last year
The clergy said the partnership between Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill is a “fitting tribute” to Lyra whose passion was to bring people together.
“Their working together, along with the Executive ministers, health professionals and ordinary people from every background, has been essential to support this community through this unprecedented coronavirus crisis,” they added.
