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A renewed apology issued by dissident terrorists over the killing of Lyra McKee has been dismissed as \u201chollow\u201d.<\/p>\nA renewed apology issued by dissident terrorists over the killing of Lyra McKee has been dismissed as \u201chollow\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old journalist died after being shot in Derry as she observed a riot last April.<\/p>\n
In a statement to the Irish News newspaper, the New IRA issued a renewed apology over the killing.<\/p>\n
The group admitted responsibility and offered \u201csincere apologies\u201d last April.<\/p>\n
This week it claimed it has introduced new \u201cmeasures\u201d for members involved in carrying out future attacks.<\/p>\n
The statement said: \u201cThe IRA again take this opportunity to offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner and family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur volunteers have been instructed to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy and we have put in place measures to ensure this.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the group also pledged to \u201cmeet force with force\u201d in reference to the security forces.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgainst a background of the British government and its proxies stamping their authority on Ireland by force, we in the IRA intend meeting force with force,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, we look forward to a successful 2020 and to consolidation of the struggle against the illegal British occupation and all that it entails.\u201d<\/p>\n
The representative body for police officers in Northern Ireland branded the apology as \u201chollow\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHollow words from terrorists,\u201d the Police Federation tweeted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only way to ensure this never happens again, is to disengage from trying to murder ANYONE and accept that the overwhelming majority of people want to live in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this week Ms McKee was posthumously awarded a Master of Arts degree in online journalism by Birmingham City University, where she previously studied for a distance learning master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n
Her sister Nichola Corner accepted the honor at a ceremony held at Symphony Hall Birmingham.<\/p>\n