MEMBERS of a republican group linked to the New IRA, who claimed responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee are expected to come to Scotland.

Saoradh, widely believed to be the political wing of the New IRA are expected in Glasgow this weekend for an event to commemorate the Easter Rising.

Ms McKee, 29, died after she was struck by a bullet as she observed rioting in Londonderry"s Creggan estate on Thursday  night.

Two men, aged 18 and 19, held under the Terrorism Act were released without charge on Sunday.

The dissident republican New IRA on Tuesday admitted responsibility for the shooting of Miss McKee and has apologised to her friends and family.

The Herald:

Lambhill Cemetery in Glasgow is to be the scene of a wreath laying ceremony and commemoration on Sunday at the graveyard where volunteers who took part in the Easter Rising rebellion are buried in Glasgow .

Saoradh fliers confirm a series of Easter commemorations with the only event outside of Northern Ireland and the Republic being in Scotland.

Members of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association in Scotland are also expected to attend. IRPWA is a dissident republican organisation which supports republican prisoners and has ties with the political party Saoradh The Easter Rising was an armed insurrection in Ireland in Easter Week on April 24, 1916 mounted by Irish republicans who wanted to end British rule.

The British army quickly suppressed the rebellion, leading to an unconditional surrender on Saturday April 29. Support for independence continued to increase until the 1918 general election when republicans won 73 out of the 105 seats.

The 1916 Rising Centenary Committee (Scotland) has confirmed that there will be a remembrance on the 103rd anniversary of the Easter Rising to the contribution made by "brave men and women" to the cause of Irish freedom through the wearing of an Easter lily.

"We remember in particular the contingent from Glasgow that crossed to Ireland to participate in the Rising, especially Óglach Charles Edward Carrigan who was killed in action..."

The Herald: James Connolly, who was born in Edinburgh in 1868.

The group has long highlighted the key role played by James Connolly, the Edinburgh born commander-in-chief of the republican forces who was executed by a British firing squad for his role in the Easter Rising.

The separate Lambhill cemetery commemoration is due just four days after Ms McKee"s funeral at St Anne"s Cathedral in Belfast.

The National Union of Journalists' Glasgow branch is organising tribute in Buchanan Street, Glasgow for 1pm on Wednesday, to coincide with the funeral.

Brian Kenna chairman of Saoradh had called on the New IRA to apologise for the murder as it held its Easter Monday commemoration march in west Belfast. A similar march to be held in Londonderry on Monday was called off following the murder of Ms McKee.

He said he believe the New IRA was resisting an “incursion by crown forces” when it carried out the gun attack.

Friends of Lyra McKee protested at the Derry office of Saoradh on Monday by placing red handprints on the building's wall. Free Derry Corner's famous mural has been adapted in recent days to reflect anger over Ms McKee's murder.

The Herald:

In a statement given to The Irish News using a recognised code word, the New IRA said: "On Thursday night following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage.

"We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy, and put in place measures to help ensure this.

"In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces.

"The IRA offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death."

A 57-year-old woman was arrested on Tuesday in connection with Ms McKee's death and has been released unconditionally.

Police say there has been a "massive response" to her killing and have urged more members of the public to come forward.