Vigil held in Derry to remember Montserrat Martorell

A vigil has been held in Londonderry for Spanish woman Montserrat Martorell, who was killed in the city last weekend.

Dozens of people gathered in Guildhall Square on Thursday evening with banners saying 'End Violence Against Women'.

Earlier on Thursday a man appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Martorell and other serious offences.

Ciaran Murray, 28, from Gortfoyle Place, appeared via video link at Bishop Street courthouse. He was remanded in custody.

Police previously said the 65-year-old woman sustained multiple injuries in a "brutal attack".

Her body was found in the bedroom of a burning ground floor flat in Harvey Street in Derry city centre in the early hours of Saturday.

Montserrat Martorell, who had been living in the city, sustained multiple injuries. They were so extensive detectives were initially unable to identify her.

"This was a tragic and brutal killing of yet another woman," said Ciara O'Connor-Pozza who is half Spanish.

Ciara O'Connor-Pozza said Derry sends love to Montserrat's family and firends

"When I heard the news I felt sick that another woman was taken from us in such a way.

"I've left roses on the steps of the Guildhall tonight in her memory. Not a lot is known about Montserrat so I want her family and friends out there to know that Derry is here to show love."

People also remembered Sophie Watson who was found dead in Magherafelt earlier this month

Sophie Watson was also remembered during the vigil.

The 57-year-old was found dead at a property in Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt on 18 August.

Andrzej Pajaczkowski, 43, from Ashgrove Park, Magherafelt, appeared via video link at Londonderry Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday facing one charge of murder.

Cara Gilliland and Aoibheann Armstrong said the vigil was a way to show solidarity

Among those at Guildhall Square were Cara Gilliland and Aoibheann Armstrong.

“We are here in solidarity with all the women,” Cara told BBC News NI.

“The injustice and personal danger that we as women sometimes feel really has to be discussed and definitely in an open space like this in Guildhall Square,” she said.

Aoibheann said she feels safe in Derry.

But the death of Ms Martello, she said, is “a stark reminder that anything can happen at any point and in a brutal way.”

“Derry is a place where people should feel excited to be. It shouldn’t be known for this.

“It’s so unfair that another woman has been taken from us but most importantly from her Spanish family and friends.”