Latest news with #PSNI
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hundreds attend vigil in memory of Sarah Montgomery
A woman who was killed in Co Down was looking forward to the birth of her son to complete her family, her best friend has said. Hundreds of people have attended a vigil for pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Donaghadee. The vigil occurred just hours after a man had appeared in court charged with her murder and child destruction. Large crowds, some carrying flowers or candles, gathered at the town's resource centre before walking the short distance to the Elmfield Walk home where the body of the 27-year-old was found at the weekend. Ainsley White became emotional as she addressed the crowd about her best friend. She described Ms Montgomery as a "mother, a sister, a granddaughter, a friend". She added: "To Sarah, family meant everything. Her two little girls meant absolutely everything to her. "Sarah was the best mummy and she couldn't wait to make her family complete with her little boy." She said: "I hope Sarah knew how much she was loved. "I don't have the words to describe Sarah as a friend, I was honoured to call her my best friend and my sister at the same time. "She never failed to put a smile on your face. She was a girl's girl, she had your back." Ms White said: "It is an absolutely cruel world that we live in. Sarah was just the best ever. "Both of you are in the arms of the angels and you are both safe, I hope you both rest in peace and you are looking over us. "Just know your girls are going to be the most protected kids in this world." The crowd then observed a minute's silence before breaking into applause. Dozens of people then queued to leave flowers at Ms Montgomery's home. Among those who attended the vigil were some members of the family of Natalie McNally, who was pregnant when she was killed in Lurgan, Co Armagh in December 2022. Earlier in the day, a 28-year-old man appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Montgomery. Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was also charged with child destruction during a brief appearance at Newtownards Magistrates' Court. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. The date of the alleged offences given on court papers was June 27. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. The death of Ms Montgomery has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. She was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
Belfast Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Justice Minister pleased that survey shows public confidence in PSNI ‘remains high'
The Research and Statistical Bulletin 'Experience of Crime and Perceptions of Crime and Policing and Justice: Findings from the 2023/24 Northern Ireland Safe Community Telephone Survey' was released on Wednesday. The report said 3,394 people were surveyed – 1,865 women and 1,529 men. Of those 1,631 were Protestant and 1,315 Catholic. Overall public confidence in the police and police accountability arrangements – based on a seven-strand composite measure – was 80% in 2023/24, similar to the 2022/23 figure of 81%. Two of the seven indicators that comprise the composite measure showed a statistically significant change. The proportions who felt that the Policing Board is independent of the police (70%) and helps the police do a good job (79%) both dropped from 73% and 84% respectively. In terms of the local police, 52% rated them as doing an excellent or good job, 36% considered them as doing a fair job, while 11% rated their performance as poor or very poor. While the excellent or good job proportion showed no change when compared with last year, the 2023/24 figure of 52% is 10 percentage points lower than the 2020/21 figure of 62% with much of this decrease occurring between 2020/21 and 2021/22, when it fell from 62% to 55%. When asked about overall confidence in their local police, 68% felt that, when taking everything into account, they had confidence in the police in their area, similar to the figure of 70% the previous year. News Catchup - July 1st 2025 Confidence in community engagement dropped with decreases observed in the proportions agreeing that the police and other agencies seek people's views about the anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime issues that matter and that these issues are being dealt with, both down from 33% to 29% and 41% to 37% respectively between 2022/23 and 2023/24. When asked about confidence in the criminal justice system (CJS), three-fifths (60%) were very or fairly confident that the CJS as a whole in Northern Ireland is effective, while 63% considered it to be fair. The latter saw a statistically significant decrease from 66% in Responding to the survey, Naomi Long said: 'It is great to see that public confidence in the police and police accountability arrangements has remained high at around 80% in 2023/24. 'This is particularly welcoming when considering the challenges PSNI have been facing in terms of workforce levels. 'I have been working closely with the Chief Constable and my Executive colleagues to ensure PSNI receives the funding it requires to recover its numbers. 'I will continue to push for more funding and am pleased that we now have a clear roadmap for delivering the officer numbers set out in the PSNI recovery plan. 'While there is no room for complacency it is reassuring to note that public confidence in policing remains high. 'This is a testament to the brave men and women of the PSNI who day and daily strive to keep our communities safe. The recent disorder we saw in Ballymena and other places across Northern Ireland shows how difficult a job policing is. 'It also shows how determined our police service is to keep our communities safe. 'The figures published today reflect the public's acknowledgement of the exceptional work the PSNI does.'
The Independent
15 hours ago
- The Independent
Man remanded in custody charged with murder of Sarah Montgomery
A 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Co Down. Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was also charged with child destruction during a brief appearance at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. The date of the offences given on court papers was June 27. District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30. Ms Montgomery, 27, died at her home in Donaghadee. Floral tributes have been left outside her house in Elmfield Walk. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. The death of Ms Montgomery has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. She was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Irish Times
Man (28) charged with murder of Sarah Montgomery in Co Down
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Co Down . Zak Hughes (28) from Ardglen Place in north Belfast, is also charged with child destruction. Ms Montgomery (27) who was due to give birth next month and is the mother of two young girls, was found dead in her home at Elmfield Walk, Donaghadee, on Saturday. On Wednesday, Mr Hughes stood in the dock handcuffed at Newtownards Magistrates' Court and spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charges, which relate to June 27th. READ MORE A senior officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said he believed he could connect the accused to the charges. There was no bail application and district judge Conor Heaney adjourned the case until July 30th. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday.
BreakingNews.ie
16 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man remanded in custody charged with murder of Sarah Montgomery
A 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Co Down. Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was also charged with child destruction during a brief appearance at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Advertisement Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. The brief hearing took place at Newtownards Magistrates' Court. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. The date of the offences given on court papers was June 27. Advertisement District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30. Ms Montgomery, 27, died at her home in Donaghadee. Floral tributes have been left outside her house in Elmfield Walk. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. Advertisement The death of Ms Montgomery has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. She was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
