{"id":225325,"date":"2025-06-30T00:48:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T00:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/225325\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T00:48:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T00:48:16","slug":"sarah-montgomery-tributes-paid-to-lovely-pregnant-mum-of-two-as-police-launch-murder-probe-into-co-down-death-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/225325\/","title":{"rendered":"Sarah Montgomery: Tributes paid to \u2018lovely\u2019 pregnant mum-of-two as police launch murder probe into Co Down death"},"content":{"rendered":"

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister led tributes to 27-year-old Sarah Montgomery<\/a>, who died following an incident at a property in Donaghadee.<\/p>\n

At around 2.15pm on Saturday, police were informed that Ms Montgomery had suffered a serious injury and was unconscious at a home in the Elmfield Walk area of the town.<\/p>\n

Paramedics arrived at the scene to administer medical care. However, the PSNI confirmed she was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

On Sunday, police confirmed they have begun a murder inquiry into her death and have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder.<\/p>\n

The tragic passing of the young mother has prompted widespread sympathy from well-wishers, advocacy groups and friends.<\/p>\n

Alex Houston, who attended the same tech as Ms Montgomery, described her as a \u201clovely person\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was an absolutely lovely person and very down to earth,\u201d she told this newspaper.<\/p>\n

Tributes also came from the local church community, who said the death had left the local area shocked, as they urged the town to rally in support of the family. <\/p>\n

Pastor Stephen Graham of the Lighthouse Church in the town said their \u201cthoughts and prayers\u201d are with the family at this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe only heard that news after our church service. I was unaware until someone came to me afterwards,\u201d said Pastor Graham.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. If the church can assist them in any way, they can let us know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sarah<\/p>\n

Sarah Montgomery (27)<\/p>\n

Street sealed off as police investigate death of woman <\/p>\n

Ms Montgomery\u2019s death comes at a time when violence against women and girls is in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill said her death was \u201cheartbreaking news\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cA young woman with her whole life ahead of her, taken in the most devastating way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother family left shattered. Two children left without their mummy.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnding violence against women and girls must be a priority for every single person right across our society.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have a role to play in ending the scourge of misogyny and violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Forensics<\/p>\n

Forensics at the scene. Credit: Press Eye<\/p>\n

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said \u201cmy heart breaks for Sarah\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust horrifying – another woman murdered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the work to tackle violence against women and girls will require a long term approach, but I am so angry at every single murder and act of violence. It must stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

North Down MP Alex Easton said it was \u201cabsolutely horrible\u201d news.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s two small kids without a mum and who knows what the future holds for them,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Certainly I hope the local community will help them. It’s an absolutely tragedy, just appalling.”<\/p>\n

Mr Easton said the community was \u201cjust gutted\u201d as the news emerged.<\/p>\n

“She was a lovely, quiet individual and for this to happen in the local area is just a complete shock for everybody,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cDonaghadee is a close-knit and caring community, and I know local people will be shocked and saddened by this news.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would urge anyone with information that may assist the police investigation to come forward. I will continue to liaise with the relevant authorities and offer any support I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Police<\/p>\n

Police and forensics at the scene of a sudden death in the Elmfield Walk area of Donaghadee on June 29th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)<\/p>\n

DUP MLA Stephen Dunne said the incident is \u201chorrific\u201d and will leave many \u201ctrying to come to terms with this loss\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am deeply shocked and saddened by the devastating news of the death of Sarah Montgomery, a young mother whose life was tragically cut short in Donaghadee,\u201d said the North Down MLA.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with Sarah\u2019s family, her two young children, and all those who knew and loved her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis horrific incident has shocked the entire local community, and I know many will be grieving and trying to come to terms with this loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would urge anyone affected to seek support and to come together in compassion at this difficult time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am aware that a police investigation is ongoing, and I would encourage anyone who may have any information to come forward and assist the PSNI in their enquiries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis tragedy, again, unfortunately, highlights the need to continue working together to ensure that every person, especially women and girls, feel safe in their homes and in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

DUP Councillor Eddie Thompson also said he was in \u201ctotal shock.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned about this incident this morning, and I am in total shock. Shocked that something like this could happen in Donaghadee,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sure everyone in the town is feeling the same at this time, and I offer my sympathies to the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am shocked that this happened but not surprised, this sort of incident is growing and is a definite problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sarah<\/p>\n

Sarah Montgomery<\/p>\n

Fellow Donaghadee councillor, John Hennessy, said his thoughts are with the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a devastating incident and our local community is in complete shock,\u201d said the Alliance councillor. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts go out to Sarah\u2019s family and loved ones, especially her children.<\/p>\n

\u201cI urge anyone who has information on this incident to contact police with it immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councillor James Cochrane urged the public to allow police to continue with their enquiries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like just to say that my thoughts are with the family upon hearing this shocking news,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would urge the public, if they have information, to contact police, and to allow the PSNI to carry out their investigations.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the news broke, calls were also made to declare violence against women and girls as a national crisis in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

The Women\u2019s Rights Network NI said they were \u201coutraged\u201d over the death of the mother, coming just weeks after 71-year-old Marie Green was found dead at her home in north Belfast.<\/p>\n

In that case, her son Lewis Green (31), also of Shore Road, was remanded into custody accused of her murder.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the group said: \u201cThe WRN NI is devastated and outraged at the murder of Sarah Montgomery, a 27-year-old pregnant mother of two.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolice have launched a murder investigation following this horrific crime.\u201d <\/p>\n

They added that only a \u201cfew short weeks ago\u201d WRN NI had issued a statement mourning the tragic death of Marie Green. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe offered our heartfelt condolences then, and today we stand once again with another grieving family and a devastated community,\u201d the statement continued. <\/p>\n

\u201cEnough is enough. Another woman is dead, another community shattered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSarah was just 27 years old, a mother of two, and pregnant at the time of her death. Two lives have been stolen.\u201d <\/p>\n

WRN NI said that the deaths are not \u201cisolated tragedies\u201d but part of \u201ca predictable pattern of violence against women that continues to cost lives in Northern Ireland.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cNorthern Ireland must treat violence against women and girls as a national emergency. Every day of inaction puts more women at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips said his \u201cthoughts are with Sarah\u2019s family during this incredibly difficult time \u2014 as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cSarah\u2019s family are being supported by specially trained officers as the investigation continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chief Inspector Yvonne McManus added: \u201cWe understand this news will cause shock and concern within the community. Local people will see our officers in and around the area \u2014 with cordons still in place today.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould anyone have any concerns or want to ask for help or advice, please speak to us. We want to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recognise the profound impact that violence against women and girls has on individuals, families and wider society.<\/p>\n

\u201cAddressing this issue remains a key priority, and we are committed to engaging directly with the local community to offer support, build trust, and help people feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The First Minister and Deputy First Minister led tributes to 27-year-old Sarah Montgomery, who died following an incident…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":225002,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5011],"tags":[1384,922,1434,1144,1610,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-225325","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-northern-ireland","8":"tag-down-news","9":"tag-emma-little-pengelly","10":"tag-michelle-oneill","11":"tag-northern-ireland","12":"tag-police-service-of-northern-ireland","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114769566686943355","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225325"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225325\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225325"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225325"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}