Tributes paid at funeral of journalist Lyra McKee

The funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has taken place in Belfast.

Poignant tributes were paid to the 29-year-old writer, who was shot dead by a ‘New IRA’ gunman during disturbances in Londonderry last week.

In his address, Father Martin Magill said he hopes her death could be “the doorway to a new beginning for Northern Ireland”.

The congregation rose to their feet in applause as he asked: "Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get us to this point?"

Many of those who gathered at St Anne’s Cathedral for Wednesday afternoon’s service wore Harry Potter and Marvel Comics clothing, in tribute to Lyra McKee's love of both.

Among the mourners were senior politicians including Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Irish President Michael D Higgins.

Local party leaders also attended, with DUP Leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin President Mary-Lou McDonald sitting side by side.

Fellow journalists formed a guard of honour as the funeral began, while large crowds gathered across the road at Writer’s Square to pay their respects.

They heard Fr Magill urge politicians at Stormont to work together to produce a better life for young people.

"I pray that Lyra's murder may be the catalyst needed for parties to start talking, to reform that which was corrosive in previous assemblies and to begin anew,” he said.

"I know you as politicians have a very difficult job to but then so too did Lyra.

"There is another valuable lesson from her life - she was like ‘a dog with a bone’ when she believed she could make a difference.

"When it comes to our peace process, I would love to see this dogged attitude to the rebuilding of an Assembly that works for the common good."

Lyra McKee's friend Stephen Lusty said she embodied a future of finding commonality, enjoying difference in others.

He said: "We have two choices, we can look into the holes and wait forever, or we can fill those holes today.

"Today we grieve but tomorrow let us fill that hole by adopting Lyra's futureand vision."

Her sister, Nichola Corner said she was the kindest and most gentle person the world will never forget, saying every single person should get the chance to grow up and make their dreams come true.

"This is Lyra's legacy and we must carry it forward," she said.

As the funeral took place, people gathered in other towns and cities across the UK and Ireland to remember Lyra McKee.

In Cookstown, a vigil led by the National Union of Journalists was held.

Tribute were paid to the campaigning young reporter in Fleet Street in London, while crowds also gathered in Glasgow.

In Londonderry, where Lyra McKee was killed, people touched by her death came together at Guildhall Square to pay tribute.