02-07-2025
Man charged over murder of pregnant mother-of-two
A man has been charged with the murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Co. Down. Police said the man, 28, had also been charged with child destruction.
He is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court today. Ms Montgomery, 27, died at her home in Donaghadee in Co. Down on Saturday.
Floral tributes have been left outside her home in the Elmfield Walk area. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Earlier yesterday, a 47-year-old woman, who was arrested as part of the investigation, was released unconditionally.
The killing of Ms Montgomery has led to fresh concerns from politicians about the level of violence against women and girls in the North.
The problem of violence against women and girls is 'embedded' in the North, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said. First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Pic:However, Ms O'Neill said she does not accept that the situation cannot be turned around and called for a 'whole of society' approach to dealing with it.
For the second day, a number of politicians at Stormont expressed condolences following Ms Montgomery's killing.
Answering questions at the Assembly, Ms O'Neill said: 'I can't even imagine what her family are going through. Sarah Montgomery. Pic: PSNI
'A young mummy expecting her next child, her whole life ahead of her and taken from her family in the most devastating way.'
Ms O'Neill updated MLAs on actions taken as part of the Executive's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, stating there needs to be a 'whole of society' approach.
Ms O'Neill said the Executive Office had committed £3.2million (€3.7m) until next March to support the strategy.
She said funding had already been provided to local councils to enable them to build awareness of the issue and to hold information events.
The First Minister said all councils in the North had now opened up a local change fund to 'get right into the grassroots of community and voluntary organisations'.
She said a regional change fund had also been established, with funding of £ 1.2 million (€1.4 million).
