Police in Derry have discovered the gun that killed Northern Irish journalist Lyra McKee.
Following a two-day search operation across a 38-acre area of land, investigators recovered the weapon which they believe may have been stolen some time ago.
It’s also thought that the Hammerli X-Esse .22 pistol was used a number of times prior to the murder of 29-year-old Lyra in April 2019.
The gun was found along with a bomb during searches in the Ballymagroarty area of the city last week.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective superintendent Jason Murphy said: "I can confirm that a gun that was seized and recovered by police last week in Derry was the gun that killed Lyra McKee."
Ms McKee was an observer during rioting in the city's Creggan area.
Supt Murphy said the shot which killed her was fired in the direction of officers.
He said senior members of the dissident republican group the New IRA were involved, adding: "For the IRA the net is tightening."
The gun was submitted for forensic testing before the link between the weapon and Lyra’s murder – which sparked condemnation across the world – was established.
