The funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee is to take place in Belfast on Wednesday.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins will both attend the funeral, while Downing Street also confirmed that UK Prime Minister Theresa May will also attend.
Ms McKee was shot dead during violent scenes in the Creggan estate in Derry last Thursday.
In a statement issued last night, Ms McKee’s mother Joan, brothers Gary and David and sisters Joan Hunter, Nichola Corner and Mary Crossan called on people to continue the 29-year-old’s message of hope.
It read: “A daughter, a sister, an aunt, a great-aunt, a partner, a niece, a cousin, and above all, a best friend and confidante to so many of us.
“A friend to all, a gentle innocent soul who wouldn’t wish ill on anyone. Such a warm and innocent heart.
“She was a smart, strong-minded woman who believed passionately in inclusivity, justice and truth.
“Lyra spoke to and made friends with anybody and everybody, no matter what their background, those of all political views and those with none. This openness, and her desire to bring people together, made her totally apolitical.
“We would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and love we have witnessed this past few days. It has been of immense solace that Lyra meant so much to so many.
“We ask everyone who knew Lyra to continue her message of positivity and hope, by respecting her memory with dignity and respect.
“We as a family know that the whole community has been touched by the events of Thursday night and that many are rightly angry.
“However, we would ask that Lyra’s life and her personal philosophy are used as an example to us all as we face this tragedy together.
“Lyra’s answer would have been simple, the only way to overcome hatred and intolerance is with love, understanding and kindness.”
On Tuesday, a 57-year-old woman had been arrested in connection with Ms McKee’s murder but has since been released. On Sunday, two teens aged 18 and 19 arrested in connection with the murder were released without charge.
