Murdered Lyra McKee's partner says journalist's 'dreams snuffed out by single barbaric act'

A journalist who was shot dead during riots in Northern Ireland had her hopes and dreams "snuffed out by a single barbaric act", her partner said in an emotional tribute.

Lyra McKee, 29, was killed on Thursday night in what police are treating as a "terrorist incident" amid disturbances in Londonderry and died later in hospital.

Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were carrying out a search operation in Creggan aimed at disrupting dissident republicans ahead of this weekend's commemoration of Irish independence when violence erupted.

More than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at officers and two cars were hijacked and set on fire. During the unrest shots were fired and Ms McKee was struck.

Sara Canning made a tearful tribute to Ms McKee during a vigil in Derry on Friday.

She told crowds: “The senseless murder of Lyra McKee has left a family without a beloved daughter, a sister, an aunt and a great aunt, has left so many friends without their confidante.

“Victims in the LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist.

“It has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. We are all poorer for the loss of Lyra.

“Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential were snuffed out by a single barbaric act.

“This cannot stand. Lyra’s death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else’s life, and her legacy will live on in the light that she has left behind.”

Police blamed the New IRA and said the intention was to kill its officers.

The unrest came ahead of the Easter weekend where republicans mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a time when dissidents are traditionally active.

The Belfast native had recently moved to Derry to live with Ms Canning, and had been working as an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the murder was "shocking and senseless".

Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said the killing was a "senseless loss of life".

She said: "I am shocked and saddened at the tragic news that a young woman has been shot dead by so-called dissidents in the Creggan estate tonight.

"The murder of this young woman is a human tragedy for her family, but it is also an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on our peace process and an attack on the Good Friday Agreement.

"I unreservedly condemn those responsible for killing this young woman.

"We will remain resolute in our opposition to the pointless actions of these people who care nothing for the people of Derry."

Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, said Ms McKee was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland.

She said: "A young, vibrant life has been destroyed in a senseless act of violence.

"A bright light has been quenched and that plunges all of us in to darkness."

United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also paid tribute to Ms McKee during a visit to Stormont.

A minute's silence was observed during an event she attended in the Long Gallery in respect of Ms McKee during a speech by Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Robin Newton.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster tweeted: "Heartbreaking news. A senseless act. A family has been torn apart.

"Those who brought guns onto our streets in the 70s, 80s & 90s were wrong. It is equally wrong in 2019.

"No one wants to go back. My thoughts are also with the brave officers who stood in defence of their community.