FOUR MEN have been arrested in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the men, aged 20, 27, 29 and 52, were detained under the Terrorism Act in Derry on Tuesday morning.
They are currently being questioned by detectives at Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast.
McKee, a 29-year-old journalist who was observing a riot in the Creggan area of the town on April 18, 2019, was fatally shot as bullets were fired at the police.
The New IRA claimed responsibility for the murder, sparking headlines and fury across Ireland and the UK.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne welcomed the arrests of the four men, declaring in a tweet that detectives are "working hard in the pursuit of justice."
"I welcome today's developments in the Lyra McKee murder investigation. Detectives are working hard in the pursuit of justice. Anyone with information should come forward to police," he wrote.
I welcome today's developments in the Lyra McKee murder investigation. Detectives are working hard in the pursuit of justice. Anyone with information should come forward to police. @PoliceServiceNI
— Simon Byrne (@ChiefConPSNI) February 11, 2020
Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, urged member of the public with any information to come forward.
"I have always believed that some people within the community know what happened and who was involved," he said.
"I understand that people may be frightened to talk to us.
"I have previously given my personal assurance relating to anonymity for the purpose of this investigation and I renew this assurance today, as we approach the anniversary of Lyra’s murder.
"We saw wide-scale revulsion after Lyra was murdered and I remain determined to work with the community and local policing to convert that revulsion into tangible evidence to bring those who murdered Lyra to justice.
"I also know that many people were recording mobile phone video clips that night and whilst we had a huge response to my initial appeal for those videos, I believe that others may exist."
