The cousin of Lyra McKee, the Irish journalist who was murdered in Derry last week, paid tribute to her during a vigil in Glasgow today. 

Danielle Mclachlan, 20, who lives in Glasgow came to the event, held by the NUJ, to honour her 29-year-old cousin, who was shot while reporting on violence in the city. 

Speaking to The Evening Times after the vigil Danielle said: “I got told over the phone, I just didn’t know how to react to it, it's one of those things you go 'no, it's not true', but unfortunately it was."

Around a hundred people gathered at Buchanan Steps to remember the young journalist who was an avid campaigner for LGBT+ rights and equality.

Dissident republican group the New IRA was probably responsible for shooting Lyra, police said last week. 

She was shot in the head in what police are treating as a “terrorist incident”, amid disturbances in Derry on Thursday evening, she later died in hospital.

Read more: 'New IRA' responsible for shooting Irish journalist in Londonderry

Danielle said her and her family had found comfort in the outpouring of support for Lyra following her death. 

"It is an inspiring thing, I didn't know how much people knew about her, I knew she was amazing, an amazing journalist and an amazing writer, I just didn't know so many other people knew that as well.

“I think it's helped us, it has, it's been nice to know that everybody else feels the same.

“It's just amazing how many people want to stand for her and stand with her," she said.

Lyra’s friend’s, John Loughton and Sean Alexander, also paid their respects to the talented young journalist. 

John said: “Lyra pal, that bullets taken your body, but it hasn’t taken what you embody.

“You’re always good enough to be heard, that’s what Lyra taught me. We stand with Lyra.”

Sadie McIntyre-Randall, from Kent, said their wife was a close friend of Lyra's. They were in Glasgow for a conference and decided to come to the vigil to pay respects.

Sadie said: "My wife knew Lyra personally, Lyra is actually a big part of my life, she helped my wife come out in her teenage years, I'm here because I feel I have a lot to thank Lyra for. 

"She's still in shock, I think they lost touch more recently, but its still very painful.

“The reaction has been huge, especially in Northern Ireland I'm really hoping it's going to lead to change politically and some good will come from it at least."

Sadie said they only heard about Lyra's stories after her death and they wished they could have met her.

"She sounded like an incredible advocate for gay rights, trans rights, everyone really. It's a great loss to the LGBT commuity," Sadie added.