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HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE have attended a vigil in Donaghadee for Co Down woman Sarah Montgomery after a man appeared in court today charged with her murder and child destruction.
The 27-year-old woman had two daughters and was pregnant at the time of her death.
Large crowds, some carrying flowers or candles, gathered at the town’s resource centre before walking a short distance to Sarah’s home.
Sarah’s best friend Ainsley addressed the crowd and described her as a “mother, a sister, a granddaughter, a friend”.
“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.”
“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 Sarah’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, Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, appeared in court charged with murder.
The 28-year-old 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 27 June.
District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until 30 July.
A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally yesterday.
Sarah’s has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.
She is the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland in the last five years.
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