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Relatives of murdered journalist Lyra McKee have thanked people for their support following her \u201cnightmare\u201d death.<\/p>\nRelatives of murdered journalist Lyra McKee have thanked people for their support following her \u201cnightmare\u201d death.<\/p>\n
She was shot dead by a dissident republican gunman linked to the New IRA who fired indiscriminately at police lines during disturbances in Derry on April 18.<\/p>\n
Revulsion at her death has galvanized a new bid for political agreement at Stormont following criticism of the stalemate from a Catholic priest.<\/p>\n
Ms McKee\u2019s family said: \u201cWe know that as our nightmare continues in the weeks, months and years ahead, that we will not be alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that you will all continue to support us and we know that we will all rejoice together on the day that justice is achieved for our Lyra.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her vision for her post-conflict generation and anti-sectarian outlook has inspired widespread praise and sparked calls for political action.<\/p>\n
Demands for action from Father Martin Magill and Ms McKee\u2019s sister Nichola Corner during her funeral in Belfast spurred the UK Government into a renewed effort to restore Stormont power-sharing, due to begin early in May.<\/p>\n
Ms McKee\u2019s family said: \u201cThe outpouring of love, respect and admiration for our dear Lyra has been of great comfort to us in these dark days.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo know that our wee Lyra was so well-loved across the globe, and by people of all walks of life, is a true testament to her personal philosophy and her vision for the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
While they have been honored and overwhelmed by requests for events in her name or inspired by her, they respectfully requested that her life or death not be used for any purpose without the express permission of her family through their legal representatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are mindful that we may not be able to thank everyone individually, however we want everyone who said a prayer, shared a thought, sent a message, card or text, attended a vigil, attended or watched her service, visited her home, traveled, respected our privacy, or did any other positive act in response to Lyra\u2019s murder, to know that we appreciate every single sentiment, no matter how small \u2013 these things have helped to give us some strength while we are at our weakest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Police have made a number of arrests and released images of the suspected gunman before and after the killing in Derry\u2019s Creggan estate in a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward.<\/p>\n