A Belfast priest received a standing ovation after he issued a rallying call to politicians at the funeral of Lyra McKee.
During his impassioned homily, Fr Martin Magill spoke directly to politicians present at the service.
He praised their response to the journalist's death, but issued a stark question: "‘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 us to this point?"
His remarks prompted applause and a standing ovation in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast Live reports.
He said: "Since Thursday night we have seen the coming together of many people in various places and the unifying of the community against violence.
"I commend our political leaders for standing together in Creggan on Good Friday.
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"I am however left with a question: ‘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 us to this point?’"
He also said: "To the many politicians present in this cathedral today, let me say again those words which one of Lyra’s friends had said: ’The younger generation need jobs, they need a better health service and education. They need a life, not a gun put in their hands.'
"As politicians you will be familiar with the first report of the Independent Reporting Commission published last October which examined in depth paramilitary-style attacks and found a clear correlation between these attacks and areas of social deprivation.
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"Lyra’s friend is right in pointing out that our young people need jobs, and education and training to get those jobs.
"All our young people need a life that gives them an aspiration for the future.
"As our politicians we need you to be working together to make that happen so that especially for those living in deprived areas that they will feel the peace process is working for them as well – and especially for young people living in these communities."
