Man charged with murder of 27-year-old pregnant mum in Co Down
by https://www.irishcentral.com/author/kerry-o-shea · IrishCentralA 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of pregnant mum Sarah Montgomery in Donaghdee, Co Down, on Saturday, June 28.
The man has been charged with murder and child destruction by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI's) Major Investigation Team investigating Saturday's murder.
The man is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Wednesday, July 2.
The PSNI noted that, as is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish!
On Saturday, June 28, detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team announced that they had launched a murder inquiry following the death of a woman in Donaghadee.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips said on Saturday that at approximately 2:15 pm that afternoon, police received a report of an "unconscious woman with a serious injury inside a house in the Elmfield Walk area" of Donaghadee.
Officers, as well as members of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, provided medical treatment at the scene, but the woman was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.
Phillips confirmed the victim to be 27-year-old Sarah Montgomery, a mother of two who was pregnant at the time of her death.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Phillips described the case as "deeply tragic" and said that Sarah’s family is being supported by specially trained officers as the investigation continues.
The PSNI's North Area Chief Inspector Yvonne McManus said on Saturday: “We understand this news will cause shock and concern within the community."
She added: “Should anyone have any concerns or want to ask for help or advice, please speak to us. We want to help.
“We recognise the profound impact that violence against women and girls has on individuals, families and wider society.
“Addressing 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.
“I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 865 28/06/25.”
On Monday, PSNI announced a 42-year-old woman was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has since been released unconditionally.
PSNI said both of the people who were arrested in the scope of the investigation were known to the victim and that no one else is being sought in connection with the crime.
Read more
Saturday's murder in Co Down comes after the Northern Ireland Executive launched a Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls in October.
On Monday, the Northern Ireland Assembly heard that Montgomery is the 27th woman to have been killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
Speaking during Monday's meeting of the Assembly, First Minister Michelle O'Neill noted that "ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and tackling gender-based violence" was discussed during the recent plenary meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
"Ministers recognised the unacceptably high levels of gender-based violence and violence against women and girls that are prevalent across both jurisdictions and noted that addressing the issue will require a whole-of-society approach," O'Neill told the Assembly.
"The NSMC agreed that officials should continue to explore opportunities for joint working in that area, recognising the common challenges faced."
O'Neill later said that Montgomery's murder "really underlines for us all, once again, that we have a huge problem in our society with violence against women and girls."
She said that "our officials have now taken the lead in forming a five-jurisdiction working group that is looking at how we all come at ending violence against women and girls.
"That will very much help us to pick up things that work well in other jurisdictions and apply that learning here.
"We have our own strategy, because we recognise the significant problem that we have."
O'Neill went on to say: "For our part, we must recognise that we have a societal problem to deal with.
"We have our strategy for ending violence against women and girls, and we must continue to review it to make sure that it is fit for purpose and that we do everything that we can.
"This is not unique to us; it is a societal problem across the board."