Sarah Montgomery fundraiser reaches over £10k as death of Co Down mum leaves community ‘devastated'

Belfast Telegraph

a day ago

Organised by Donaghadee resident Joanne Courney and councillor Mark Brooks, the GoFundMe page for Sarah Montgomery's family has raised over £10,000 in around two hours.
Earlier today police confirmed that a 42-year-old woman arrested as part of their investigation had been released unconditionally.
The woman was detained in Belfast on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old man arrested over the weekend on suspicion of murder remains in police custody.
Detectives were granted an additional 36 hours on Monday to question him.
Ms Montgomery (27) was a mother-of-two and pregnant with her third child at the time of her death.
She died following an incident at a property in Donaghadee on Saturday.
Police have confirmed that the suspect was known to the victim.
Tributes paid to Sarah Montgomery who was 34-weeks pregnant when killed
In a statement the organisers of the fundraiser said it was launched to 'give everyone the opportunity to support Sarah's family especially her two beautiful daughters'.
"The events of this weekend have brought the community and indeed a wider circle to its devastated knees,' the statement added.
"Sarah was a popular girl who would never pass you without a smile or a chat.'
They added that Ms Montgomery's daughters 'adored their mummy' but would now grow up without her support and would never meet their unborn baby brother.
The organisers said that Ms Montgomery's wider family had been 'left bereft of the care and support' she had provided.
The statement added: 'Donations will not ease the pain that this family will have to live with forever but as a close knit community, we are keen to show them that they are so loved and supported at this sad time and in the days, months and years to come.
'Violence against women will not be tolerated in our community. We must stand together to ensure that this will never happens again.'
Ms Montgomery has also been remembered by her local church as a 'caring and devoted mother'..
In a joint statement, Revd Ian R Gamble and Revd Kathy Couchman of Donaghadee Parish Church said the parish had a strong connection to Ms Montgomery and her family.
'The clergy and congregation of Donaghadee Parish Church are deeply saddened by the death of Ms Sarah Montgomery,' read the statement.
"Our Parish has a strong connection to her family and one of her children was baptised in our congregation. We offer to her family our condolences, prayers, love and support over these difficult days.
'It was always a joy to see Sarah at church events, especially at our Mums & Tots group.
"She was a familiar and friendly part of our local community, a young mum who would stand with other mums at the gate of Donaghadee Primary School at pick up time, a school which she herself had attended.'
The statement added: 'The tragic nature of Sarah's death, compounded with the loss of her unborn child, can only add to the immense sense of grief that her family and friends will be feeling.
'Sarah was a very loving daughter to her late parents, a caring and devoted mother to her own children and a great support to her brothers and elderly grandparents.
'May God grant to Sarah's family, close friends and our Donaghadee community his unfailing love.'
Yesterday the Northern Ireland Assembly heard that an epidemic of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland is worsening.
The Assembly was told she is the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.