Murdered journalist Lyra McKee's partner 'appalled' by Irish republican's warning more violence 'inevitable'

The partner of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has said she is appalled by a prominent Irish republican’s warning that more violence was “inevitable”.

Brian Kenna leads Saoradh, a grouping whose views are supported by anti-peace process renegades whom police believe are responsible for Miss McKee's death.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Kenna said the continuation of violence was "inevitable" but Miss McKee's death was "regrettable".

Detectives believe New IRA dissident republicans were responsible for shooting the 29-year-old writer while she observed disturbances in Londonderry in April.

Miss McKee's partner Sara Canning said: "Absolutely appalling statement by Brian Kenna." She added: "The police being in Creggan didn't murder Lyra, the New IRA idiots... did."

The violence which led to Miss McKee being shot in the head by a member of the New IRA began after police conducted a search in the Creggan estate ahead of the anniversary of the Easter Rising.

Miss Canning said: "They proved the police's reason for being there by bringing a gun onto the streets and putting lives in danger, and ultimately murdering the love of my life.

"Had no gun come out they could have claimed unfair oppression, instead they totally justified the police presence."

She said many more lives were also put in danger.

"It was not an accident, it wasn't just regrettable, it was despicable.

"The blatant disregard for the people of the town and beyond is staggering.

"No lives should have been lost that night. There is no justification for murder."

Mr Kenna has denied any overlap between the leadership of his party and the New IRA but refused to condemn violence.

He told Sky: "The death of Lyra McKee was a very tragic event.

"It genuinely came about because of the heavy presence of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, flooding into Derry at seven o'clock in the evening, into parts of the Creggan."

He added: "It was shocking and tragic and we're on record as saying that we regret that death very, very much."

This year the New IRA also detonated a car bomb outside Derry courthouse.

Additional reporting by PA