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A journalist's murder has brought a moment of unity that Northern Ireland must seize

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When one talented young person can do what dozens of politicians can not — or will not — it is clear that change is on the horizon. It is a terrible tragedy she will not be here to witness it.
Lyra McKee was 29, an LGBT activist, and a portrayer and purveyor of life around her. She was in many ways what so many aspire for in Northern Ireland, a future where people reach across previously forbidden boundaries and revel in an enriched understanding of ‘the other.’
She embodies the tolerance that was stifled by the Troubles, as the years of violence between Irish nationalists and British unionists were known.
“From early on in her career Lyra was a disruptor, she was ahead of her time, her obsession with new technologies and her attitude of global thinking made her a force to be reckoned with. Her tenacity, determination, ambition and empathy made her an amazing young reporter and investigative writer,” said Tina Calder, a friend of Lyra’s and the owner of a Excalibur Press, which was working to publish one of her books.
“I hope we can prove to Lyra that things can change, that people across the country will sit up and notice and that the wrongs can be fixed.”
Her murder is so shocking it has jarred Northern Ireland’s perpetually fractious political parties into an exceptionally rare joint condemnation.
“The murder of Lyra McKee is first and foremost a devastating loss for her grieving partner, family and friends, and our thoughts are with them at this awful time. Lyra’s murder was also an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on the peace and democratic processes.

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