Pro-IRA graffiti warns against helping police in murdered journalist investigation

By Aoife Moore

Pro-IRA graffiti has appeared in Derry-Londonderry warning the community against helping the police.

The slogans appeared overnight in the Creggan area, metres from where journalist ,Lyra McKee, was killed on April 18.

She was shot by a dissident republican linked to the New IRA who fired indiscriminately at police lines during disturbances over the Easter weekend.

Painted on a wall, one message reads "Informers will be executed", and another says "IRA here to stay".

Another message includes a picture of a rat, with the message "Informers will be shot. IRA", and another says "RUC Informers: They will forget about you, we won't. IRA".

Pro-IRA graffiti which had been painted over in the days after Ms McKee's murder has been restored, saying the IRA "aren't done" and is an "undefeated army".

The new graffiti comes as the Police Service of Northern Ireland have offered anonymity for anyone in the community who comes foward with evidence about the death of Ms McKee or the New IRA.

Police have made a number of arrests and released images of the suspected gunman before and after the killing in Derry in a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward.

Detectives say more than 140 people have already come forward with information, videos and images from the unrest.

Complete anonymity, including giving evidence behind a screen and using voice altering technology, have been offered for anyone called to give evidence at a trial.

Crimestoppers has offered a reward of £10,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murder.

One shocked resident told the Press Association: "I cannot believe them, it's only the second week since Lyra was killed here. They have no shame, they are scum."