The White House said Friday that it welcomes new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bid-to-restore-northern-ireland-government-after-killing-of-a-journalist-213771">talks between Britain and Ireland</a> over reviving Northern Ireland's troubled power-sharing arrangement.

"The United States welcomes the initiative today of the British and Irish governments to convene political talks in Northern Ireland," the White House said in a statement.

"We encourage Northern Ireland’s political leaders to return to the negotiating table to restore the region's local government."

The Trump administration said it was "shocked and saddened" by the slaying of 29-year-old Lyra McKee, shot dead on April 18 while reporting on riots in the second city of Londonderry.

Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, has been without its semi-autonomous government since January 2017 following a breakdown in trust between the main parties.

However, McKee's killing by republican paramilitaries has created new impetus for mending fences between the rival British unionist and Irish nationalist forces.

The White House said Friday that it welcomes new talks between Britain and Ireland over reviving Northern Ireland's troubled power-sharing arrangement. "The United States welcomes the initiative today of the British and Irish governments to convene political talks in Northern Ireland," the White House said in a statement.

The White House said Friday that it welcomes new talks between Britain and Ireland over reviving Northern Ireland's troubled power-sharing arrangement. "The United States welcomes the initiative today of the British and Irish governments to convene political talks in Northern Ireland," the White House said in a statement. "We encourage Northern Ireland’s political leaders to return to the negotiating table to restore the region's local government." The Trump administration said it was "shocked and saddened" by the slaying of 29-year-old Lyra McKee, shot dead on April 18 while reporting on riots in the second city of Londonderry. Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, has been without its semi-autonomous government since January 2017 following a breakdown in trust between the main parties. However, McKee's killing by republican paramilitaries has created new impetus for mending fences between the rival British unionist and Irish nationalist forces.

US welcomes British-Irish talks on Northern Ireland tensions

Dissident republican group the New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/journalist-shot-dead-in-northern-ireland-in-terrorist-incident-211785">killing Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKeen</a> during rioting in Londonderry last week, in a statement to The Irish News.

The New IRA "offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death", it said in a statement reported by the Irish newspaper, which said the paramilitary group used a recognised codeword.

McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday as dissident republicans clashed with police in the Creggan housing estate in Northern Ireland's second city, also known as Derry.

While admitting responsibility, the New IRA attempted to justify its actions by claiming she was killed during an attack on "enemy forces" and accused police of provoking the riot which preceded her death.

"In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces," 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," the New IRA statement said, according to The Irish News.

In the wake of her death, Northern Ireland's six main political parties -- including rival unionists and republicans who have been unable to form a devolved government for more than two years -- issued a rare joint statement.

"It was a pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years, which has the overwhelming support of people everywhere," it read.

The killing, the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region, came in the run-up to Easter weekend, when republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland mark the anniversary of a 1916 uprising against British rule.

A car-bombing and the hijacking of two vans in Londonderry earlier this year were also blamed on a dissident paramilitary group.

The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles".

Some 3,500 people were killed in the conflict -- many at the hands of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means.

The New IRA is one of a number of dissident republican paramilitary groups opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland.

There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit.

Dissident republican group the New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for killing Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKeen during rioting in Londonderry last week, in a statement to The Irish News.

Dissident republican group the New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for killing Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKeen during rioting in Londonderry last week, in a statement to The Irish News. The New IRA "offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death", it said in a statement reported by the Irish newspaper, which said the paramilitary group used a recognised codeword. McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday as dissident republicans clashed with police in the Creggan housing estate in Northern Ireland's second city, also known as Derry. While admitting responsibility, the New IRA attempted to justify its actions by claiming she was killed during an attack on "enemy forces" and accused police of provoking the riot which preceded her death. "In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces," 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," the New IRA statement said, according to The Irish News. In the wake of her death, Northern Ireland's six main political parties -- including rival unionists and republicans who have been unable to form a devolved government for more than two years -- issued a rare joint statement. "It was a pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years, which has the overwhelming support of people everywhere," it read. The killing, the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region, came in the run-up to Easter weekend, when republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland mark the anniversary of a 1916 uprising against British rule. A car-bombing and the hijacking of two vans in Londonderry earlier this year were also blamed on a dissident paramilitary group. The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles". Some 3,500 people were killed in the conflict -- many at the hands of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means. The New IRA is one of a number of dissident republican paramilitary groups opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland. There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit.

New IRA admits responsibility for killing Northern Ireland journalist: Media

Police in Northern Ireland have arrested two teenagers in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee. The men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and have been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Saturday.

Police arrest teenagers over killing of journalist in Londonderry

lyra-mckee

Lyra Mckee, News on Lyra Mckee, stories on Lyra Mckee, articles on Lyra Mckee, Lyra Mckee stories at Wion, Lyra Mckee news, Lyra Mckee latest news

lyra mckee

US welcomes British-Irish talks on Northern Ireland tensions

New IRA admits responsibility for killing Northern Ireland journalist: Media

Police arrest teenagers over killing of journalist in Londonderry