The New IRA has admitted responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry.
Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18.
In a statement given to The Irish News using a recognised code word, the group offered “full and sincere apologies” to her family and friends.
The New IRA is an amalgam of armed groups opposed to the peace process and it recently claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March.
READ MORE: Glasgow to host vigil for murdered journalist Lyra McKee
Police believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this week’s anniversary of the Easter Rising.
A message of condolence for 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee which has been graffittied on to the Free Derry Corner (Joe Boland/PA)
The statement said: “On Thursday night following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage.
“We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy, and put in place measures to help ensure this.
“In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces.
“The IRA offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death.”
Floral tributes have been left at the spot where journalist Lyra McKee was murdered (Cate McCurry/PA)
The admission comes as police in Northern Ireland say the investigation into the killing is continuing at a “rapid pace”.
READ MORE: Two arrested over Lyra McKee murder
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said more than 140 people had contacted officers with information, adding: “This was an attack on the community. Lyra, tragically, was a random victim and I need the public to continue to support us.
“Many witnesses have contacted us to give us information that has been provided to them.
“More than 140 people have contacted us via our MIPP (Major Incident Public Portal) with messages, including mobile phone footage.”
Friends of murdered journalist Lyra McKee defaced the walls of a dissident republican office (Cate McCurry/PA)
Mr Murphy appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
“I want to reassure people that you don’t have to commit to anything today. I just need to speak to people to understand what they know,” he said.
The appeal came after friends of the journalist protested by defacing an office belonging to a dissident republican group by putting red handprints on the walls of its headquarters in Derry on Monday.
READ MORE: Obituary - Lyra McKee
A number of Miss McKee’s friends walked to Junior McDaid House, where they used a pot of red paint to place handprints on the side of the office walls.
The death came amid unrest in Londonderry (Niall Carson/PA)
A group of some six men, understood to be members of republican group Saoradh, who are associated with the New IRA, stood outside the building during the protest.
Miss McKee’s friend Sinead Quinn, who took part in the protest, said: “We have used red paint because they have blood on their hands for what has happened.
“They have encouraged it, they have moulded these young people into what they are and they are standing behind them handing them guns.
“Lyra deserves more and I am so glad there are so many people here today to see and watch these men looking at us.”
“Lyra McKee’s name will never be forgotten in this town,” Ms Quinn added.
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