Latest news with #SarahMontgomery
Sky News
12 hours ago
- Sky News
Murder investigation under way after pregnant woman found dead in Co Down
A murder investigation has been launched after a pregnant woman was found dead in Co Down, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said. Officers received a report of an unconscious woman with a serious injury inside a house in Elmfield Walk, Donaghadee, on Saturday afternoon. Police attended the property along with ambulance staff who provided medical treatment to 27-year-old Sarah Montgomery. But the mother-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips said Ms Montgomery was confirmed to have been pregnant at the time of her death. He said: "Enquiries are at an early stage into this deeply tragic case. "Our thoughts are also with Sarah's family during this incredibly difficult time - as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened. "Sarah's family are being supported by specially trained officers as the investigation continues." Chief Inspector Yvonne McManus added: "We understand this news will cause shock and concern within the community. Local people will see our officers in and around the area - with cordons still in place today." She added: "We recognise the profound impact that violence against women and girls has on individuals, families and wider society."
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Irish Times
Killing of pregnant Co Down woman (27) has left ‘deep wound' on family and community, funeral hears
The killing of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery has left a 'deep wound' on her family and the community where she lived, her funeral has been told. The service of thanksgiving for Ms Montgomery and her unborn son Liam Arthur at Donaghadee Parish Church also heard that she was a born carer with a heart of gold. Ms Montgomery (27) died at her home in Elmfield Walk in the Co Down town last month. A man has appeared in court charged with her murder. Her death led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland and hundreds of people attended a vigil in her memory last week. READ MORE The service of thanksgiving on Thursday followed a family service of committal earlier in the day. Rector of Donaghadee Rev Ian Gamble told the service: 'The tragic death of Sarah and baby Liam has left a deep wound on a close and quiet family in our town. 'It has left a deep wound on the community up in Elmfield and across Donaghadee. 'Sarah Montgomery was a quiet and much-loved Donaghadee girl. A young mother, sister, a loving daughter to her late parents and a cherished granddaughter,' he said. She had many friends from her days at school in our town and she was very much a part of our local community, he said. Rev Kathy Couchman, who officiated at the service, said the family has been 'totally overwhelmed' by the support they have received from Donaghadee and further afield. She added: 'Sarah grew up in Donaghadee; this is where she spent her life and where she was so involved in the life of the town and her community.' Rev Couchman said Sarah was a 'born carer'. 'Her friends and family have all spoken of how she had a heart of gold, of how caring she was, not only towards people she knew, but to anyone who needed help,' she said. Ms Montgomery's two daughters had been the 'centre of her world', she said, adding that she was 'so looking forward to being a mummy also to her baby, Liam Arthur'. 'She had everything ready to welcome him to this world, to her family and to her girls. Thoughtful as ever, Sarah had had clothes prepared for Liam Arthur, embroidered with his name,' she said. 'Sarah and Liam Arthur and his sisters should have a future ahead of them, but that future has been brutally and unjustly snatched away from them, and from their family and friends. 'This isn't right; this isn't how it should be, and we must not lose sight of the fact that it is neither right nor is it in any way excusable,' she said. —PA
Sunday World
10-07-2025
- Sunday World
Tributes as huge crowds gather for funeral of murder victim Sarah Montgomery
The sun was shining down on the coastal town of Donaghadee, as Revd Couchman addressed bereaved people from near and far Alliance MLA and Minister of Agriculture and Environment Andrew Muir pictured at the service. Jonathan Porter/PressEye Mourners attended the Service of Thanksgiving for Sarah Montgomery and her baby Liam Arthur held at Donaghadee Parish Church. Volunteers from the RNLI pictured at the service. Jonathan Porter/PressEye Service of Thanksgiving for Sarah Montgomery and her baby Liam Arthur held at Donaghadee Parish Church, Co. Down. Jonathan Porter/PressEye Hundreds of people gather in Co Down for the funeral of Sarah Montgomery. The 27-year-old was killed last month. Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Hundreds of people gather in Co Down for the funeral of Sarah Montgomery. Inset: Sarah Montgomery 'A grandmother and grandfather shouldn't be burying their granddaughter and her baby; that is not how it should be.' Those were the powerful words shared by Revd Kathy Couchman as she addressed hundreds at Sarah Montgomery's funeral on Thursday. She added: 'Sarah should be with her family, with her little girls, getting ready for the arrival of her baby boy. "Sarah and Liam Arthur and his sisters should have a future ahead of them, but that future has been brutally and unjustly snatched away from them, and from their family and friends.' The sun was shining down on the coastal town of Donaghadee, as Revd Couchman addressed bereaved people from near and far, who gathered inside and outside the town's Anglican Parish Church. Large speakers were placed in the adjoining cemetery, and tens of seats were also placed alongside the adjacent parish hall, as the crowds that attended to pay their respects to the 27-year-old pregnant mum-of-two, were too large to fit inside the building itself. The majority of people were gathered outside the church more than half an hour before the service began at 3pm. Ms Montgomery's body had been committed earlier that day by Revd Ian Gamble and Revd Kathy Couchman. Funeral goers were told that Ms Montgomery, who was killed in her Donaghadee home last month, was a 'born carer'. A man appeared in court last week charged with her murder and the destruction of her child. Zak Hughes (28), of Ardglen Place, north Belfast, was remanded in custody. Hundreds of people gather in Co Down for the funeral of Sarah Montgomery. Inset: Sarah Montgomery Man appears in court charged with the Murder of Sarah Montgomery Mourners mostly wore sunglasses as temperatures hit 20C in the Co Down town on Thursday afternoon. One said they were glad of the good weather, as it meant they could all cover their eyes to hide their tears. Many women attending said that they did not know the deceased or her family personally, but felt the need to attend because Ms Montgomery's death had struck such a cord with them. A relative of Ms Montgomery emotionally and visibly broke down when Revd Couchman described how much the young woman had cared for brothers when they were born, and then for her two own daughters not long after. Sarah Montgomery Ms Montgomery's own parents died within a few years of each other within the last decade. 'Sarah was just a born carer,' said the reverend. 'Her friends and family have all spoken of how she had a 'heart of gold', of how caring she was, not only towards people she knew, but to anyone who needed help, and Arthur and Edie (Sarah's grandparents) have told me just how much love and kindness she has shown them throughout her life and how much she has done to help them. 'When Sarah's brothers were born, she would help her Mummy, Linda, and Daddy, Andrew, look after them. 'Sadly, both Linda and Andrew died at far too early an age, within a few short years of each other. 'Sarah, then just a very young woman, took over the care for her brothers and she continued to care for them, alongside her Granda and Granny, until the day she died, all through the time since her own two little girls arrived; and, oh, how she loved being Mummy to those little girls.' Hundreds of people gather in Co Down for the funeral of Sarah Montgomery. Inset: Sarah Montgomery Hundreds attend vigil in memory of Sarah Montgomery Friends of Sarah described the young woman as being 'just the best Mummy'. They said her young daughters were the centre of Sarah's world and 'were always looked after so beautifully'. She was due to give birth to Liam Arthur around the beginning of August, and Revd Couchman explained that 'thoughtful as ever', she already had clothes prepared for him, embroidered with his name. 'It is an utter tragedy that none of us has had, or ever will have, the chance to know him, to see him as a little boy or grown into a young man, but his was a life, a very precious life, that we must recognise and give thanks for,' added the officiant. 'His was a life that was so dearly loved and cherished by Sarah, who would have been the best, most loving Mummy to him, too. 'She had everything ready to welcome him to this world, to her family and to her girls.' Ms Montgomery was also remembered as being a proud fundraiser and volunteer for the RNLI's Donaghadee Lifeboat branch. Mourners attended the Service of Thanksgiving for Sarah Montgomery and her baby Liam Arthur held at Donaghadee Parish Church. Volunteers from the RNLI pictured at the service. Jonathan Porter/PressEye She was 'so immensely proud especially to be Arthur and Edie Arbuckle's granddaughter and to have a Granda who was, 'Arthur Arbuckle, the lifeboatman'.' Volunteers and officials from the RNLI, dressed in uniform, were amongst mourners in the church for Ms Montgomery's service. They formed a makeshift guard of honour for her grandparents as they left the front of the church after the service. People have been asked to make donations to the local RNLI division in lieu of flowers, as a tribute to Ms Montgomery. Revd Couchman stressed that 'none of this (the death of Sarah and her unborn baby) was the will, or work, of God'. 'This isn't right; this isn't how it should be, and we must not lose sight of the fact that it is neither right, nor is it in any way excusable,' she added. 'We must not allow the cruelty that has stolen away those precious lives to steal away all our hope as well.' One theme the celebrant emphasised, which echoed the sentiments of Ms Montgomery's grandparents, was the power of community in Donaghadee and the strength that has been derived from that since Ms Montgomery's passing. 'There is hope in this life, there is, there must be, great hope for the future of Sarah's two little girls, for ourselves, and there is hope, too, that is born of love – the love that has brought you here today, that has led so many to reach out to the family in great kindness, the love that shows just how much goodness actually surrounds us in this life in the hearts of so many.' Hundreds of people gather in Co Down for the funeral of Sarah Montgomery. Inset: Sarah Montgomery News in 90 Seconds - July 10th
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
Sarah Montgomery death has left ‘deep wound' on family and community
The murder of pregnant mother of two Sarah Montgomery has left a 'deep wound' on her family and the community where she lived, her funeral has been told. The service of thanksgiving for Ms Montgomery and her unborn son Liam Arthur at Donaghadee Parish Church also heard that she was a born carer with a heart of gold. Ms Montgomery, 27, died at her home in Elmfield Walk in the Co Down town last month. A man has appeared in court charged with her murder. Her death led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland and hundreds of people attended a vigil in her memory last week. The service of thanksgiving on Thursday followed a family service of committal earlier in the day. Rector of Donaghadee Rev Ian Gamble told the service: 'The tragic death of Sarah and baby Liam has left a deep wound on a close and quiet family in our town. 'It has left a deep wound on the community up in Elmfield and across Donaghadee. 'Sarah Montgomery was a quiet and much-loved Donaghadee girl. A young mother, sister, a loving daughter to her late parents and a cherished granddaughter. 'Sarah had many friends from her days at school in our town and she was very much a part of our local community. 'Our community has rallied around her family in a wonderful way.' Rev Kathy Couchman, who officiated at the service, said the family had been 'totally overwhelmed' by the support they had received from Donaghadee and further afield. She added: 'Sarah grew up in Donaghadee; this is where she spent her life and where she was so involved in the life of the town and her community. 'She has always been very proud of Donaghadee and so immensely proud especially to be Arthur and Edie Arbuckle's granddaughter and to have a granda who was, 'Arthur Arbuckle, the lifeboatman'. 'Sarah's love for the lifeboats has been lifelong and she had great interest and pride in following her mummy in fundraising for the RNLI.' Rev Couchman said: 'Sarah was just a born carer. 'Her friends and family have all spoken of how she had a heart of gold, of how caring she was, not only towards people she knew, but to anyone who needed help, and Arthur and Edie have told me just how much love and kindness she has shown them throughout her life and how much she has done to help them.' She said that Ms Montgomery's two daughters had been the 'centre of her world'. She added: 'Sarah was so looking forward to being a mummy also to her baby, Liam Arthur. 'It is an utter tragedy that none of us has had, or ever will have, the chance to know him, to see him as a little boy or grown into a young man, but his was a life, a very precious life, that we must recognise and give thanks for. 'His was a life that was so dearly loved and cherished by Sarah, who would have been the best, most loving mummy to him, too. 'She had everything ready to welcome him to this world, to her family and to her girls. 'Thoughtful as ever, Sarah had had clothes prepared for Liam Arthur, embroidered with his name. 'We have seen so many tributes to Sarah over the past 11 days. They tell of a beautiful, caring, gentle and thoughtful young woman, who lived for her family and treasured her friendships. 'Sarah – mummy, granddaughter, sister, friend – in death as in life, she has touched so many hearts, far and wide, as has her baby, Liam Arthur. 'Our community is in shock and in mourning for them, and the response that we have seen, the love and support that has been shown to the family has been just incredible. 'Today we are giving thanks for them both and it's the saddest of privileges to be able to do that here in our church. 'But let's be clear about this, it should not be like this; we should not be here today, having to say goodbye to Sarah, a beautiful, caring young mummy with everything to live for, and to her baby, Liam Arthur, who has not even been allowed his moment of birth, let alone a breath of life beyond his mummy.' She continued: 'Sarah and Liam Arthur and his sisters should have a future ahead of them, but that future has been brutally and unjustly snatched away from them, and from their family and friends. 'This isn't right; this isn't how it should be, and we must not lose sight of the fact that it is neither right nor is it in any way excusable. 'There are no words that can ever take away the pain and devastation that will now wrack the hearts and lives of Sarah's family. 'Yet we will all use many words as we try to grapple with the vast flood of emotions that fill us when we think of this beautiful, caring young mummy and her baby: there will be shock; there will be disbelief; there will be pain and deep, deep sadness. 'There will also be anger; there will be outrage at the brutality and injustice of taking away two such precious lives.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Sarah Montgomery: Funeral for pregnant mother takes place in Donaghadee
The funeral for Sarah Montgomery, a pregnant mother-of-two, who was killed in Donaghadee, County Down, is taking place in her 27-year-old was found seriously injured and later pronounced dead at her home last Kathy Couchman, who officiated at the service, thanked the community on behalf of Ms Montgomery's family and said she had loved "being mummy to those little girls"."Sarah was so looking forward to being a mummy also to her baby, Liam Arthur. It is an utter tragedy that none of us has had, or ever will have, the chance to know him, to see him as a little boy or grown into a young man," she told mourners. Hundreds of people lined the streets of Donaghadee as the funeral procession made its way to Donaghadee Parish Couchman told mourners Ms Montgomery's grandparents Arthur and Edie Arbuckle spoke about her with pride."From Sarah's first days, there was always a strong bond between Sarah and her grandparents, a bond which grew even stronger when Sarah and her brothers later lost their parents," added the reverend."There are no words that can ever take away the pain and devastation that will now wrack the hearts and lives of Sarah's family."Sarah and Liam Arthur and his sisters should have a future ahead of them, but that future has been brutally and unjustly snatched away from them, and from their family and friends." A man has appeared in court charged with Ms Montgomery's murder and child Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was remanded into custody until 30 July.
