Lyra McKee, a freelance writer and journalist who wrote about the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, was shot dead last night in what police described as a “terrorist incident”.

The 29-year-old, who was also an editor of US-based media trade industry website Mediagazer, was reporting on rioting in the Creggan area of Derry when indiscriminate shots were fired.

Shortly before her death, she tweeted a picture of the scene with the words: “Derry tonight. Absolute madness.”