BELFAST 24 Apr (ANA)- A priest received a standing ovation at Lyra McKee's funeral when he asked mourners why it took her death to unite political parties.

Political leaders attended a vigil in Londonderry following her death, and also her funeral at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on Wednesday.

Fr Martin Magill asked: "Why in God's name does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get to this point?"

Ms McKee was shot dead on Thursday.

The journalist had been observing rioting in the Creggan area of Derry. 

A dissident republican paramilitary group, the New IRA, said its members killed her.

Prime Minister Theresa May, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar and other politicians were at the service. 

A friend told mourners at her funeral that Ms McKee revealed her plans to propose to her partner Sara Canning just hours before she was murdered.

Stephen Lusty said she showed him pictures of the engagement ring.

"She showed me pictures of the ring she had bought for Sara and told me of the fabulous plans she had of her proposal in May," said Mr Lusty.

"She made me put a date in my diary for the wedding in Donegal in 2022 and gave me strict instructions to wear my kilt, which she always wanted to borrow, adorn it with some Harry Potter."(ANA)

FA/ANA/24 April 2019-----