Ulster Unionist Party Policing Spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, has condemned the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Londonderry last night and praised the bravery of police officers who faced rioters, petrol bombers and gunmen as they sought to keep people safe.   

Alan Chambers MLA, who represents his party on the Policing Board, said:

“The murder of Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Londonderry last night was unforgiveable and a complete tragedy.  

“The people in the shadows who orchestrated the rioting and disorder inflicted on the streets of the Creggan, and who brought a gun onto the streets, bear full responsibility. They now need to feel the full force of the law.

“There were repeated attacks on police using petrol bombs and gunfire and as a result of this gunfire, Lyra McKee was shot and killed.  

“Nobody should try to make any pathetic excuses or provide any cover whatsoever for those dissident republican criminals who brought mayhem to the streets of Northern Ireland’s second city. This is not how people want to live in 2019.

“My thoughts are with the family, partner and friends of Lyra McKee and also with the brave police officers who put themselves in harm’s way to prevent this trouble spreading and who rushed her to hospital in a desperate bid to save her life.

“People have to make a choice. If they know anything about these criminals, they must pass that information to the Police to help bring them to justice. If they do not, they will be sentencing their communities to more death and destruction and leave their communities at the mercy of these terrorist thugs.

“By now it should be clear to everybody that these terror gangs do not protect their communities as they claim to do. All they do is seek to exercise control by the threat of, or use of force. Our children and grandchildren deserve much better than this.”