Journalist shot dead in Derry after rioting in the city

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Media captionIt is understood police were attacked after carrying out searches in the Creggan area of Londonderry. Footage courtesy of Leona O'Neill

A journalist has been shot dead in Londonderry in what police are treating as a “terrorist incident”.

Dissident republicans are being blamed for killing the 29-year-old-woman during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night.

Petrol bombs were also thrown at police Land Rovers.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the police were “treating the shooting as a terrorist incident” and a murder inquiry had been launched.

There are reports that the trouble broke out after police raids on houses in the Mulroy Park and Galliagh areas.

Skip Twitter post by @LeonaONeill1

I was standing beside this young woman when she fell beside a police Land Rover tonight in Creggan #Derry. I called an ambulance for her but police put her in the back of their vehicle and rushed her to hospital where she died. Just 29 years old. Sick to my stomach tonight pic.twitter.com/F0GHHd3HPz

— Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) April 18, 2019

Report

End of Twitter post by @LeonaONeill1

Sinn Féin's vice-president Michelle O'Neill said she was “shocked and saddened at the tragic news”, adding: “I unreservedly condemn those responsible for killing this young woman.”

DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: “Heartbreaking news. A senseless act. A family has been torn apart.”

The SDLP's Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan tweeted: Just leaving Creggan, heartbroken and angry at the senseless loss of a young life.

“Violence only creates victims, that's all it ever has done. The thoughts and prayers of our city are with the young woman's family and friends, may she rest in peace.”