Father Martin Magill, a family friend of McKee's, received a warm standing ovation from mourners when he made the point during his homily in Belfast's St Anne’s cathedral.

He said: "Many of us will be praying that Lyra’s death in its own way will not have been in vain and will contribute in some way to building peace here. Since Thursday night we have seen the coming together of so many people in various places and the unifying of the community against violence."