Fr Magill challenged the politicians in attendance to use the tragic death of Ms McKee to "be the catalyst needed for parties to start talking".

Parish Priest at St John's Parish, Belfast, Father Martin J Magill commended 'the unification of our political leaders, for standing together in Creggan, on Good Friday" at Lyra McKee's funeral in Belfast today."

She broke down barriers in a divided community in Northern Ireland, mourners at her funeral were told.

A large security presence is surrounding St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, where the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee is taking place.

This is the full and unedited address by Father Martin Magill at the funeral of Lyra Catherine McKee in St Anne’s Cathedral Belfast this afternoon.

The death of a journalist doing their job should not be marked with silence and so Lyra McKee was honoured with prolonged applause and cheers.

MURDERED Belfast teenager Megan McAlorum was carried by her mother and father to her final resting place yesterday.

Mourners at the funeral of tragic Belfast teenager Megan McAlorum were told today that she had been a friendly young girl “bursting with life”.