Natalie McNally: Vigil held for Lurgan stabbing victim
- Published
Pink and blue balloons were released into the air in memory of the expectant mother
The family and friends of Natalie McNally, who died after she was stabbed in Lurgan, County Armagh, have held a vigil near the scene of her death.
The 32-year-old was attacked in her home in Silverwood Green and was pronounced dead on Monday night.
Mourners gathered in the street on Friday night to pay tribute to Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant.
Her brother Declan McNally thanked the crowd for their support and urged any witnesses to contact detectives.
"On behalf of my family, I just want to thank everybody in this estate; everybody in Lurgan and the wider community for all the comfort and support that you have offered us.
"And please, anybody who has any information whatsoever, please bring it to the police," he said.
Ms McNally's funeral will take place in Craigavon on Monday.
Declan McNally pleaded for information about his sister's killer
A family friend addressed the crowd and expressed sympathy to the victim's family "for the loss of Natalie and her unborn child in such a heinous way".
"We as a community wanted to take the opportunity to offer our deepest condolences to Natalie's parents, her brothers, her family and her friends," the woman said.
"No words can describe the many different feelings everyone is experiencing."
Following speeches and a moment of silent reflection, pink and blue balloons were released into the air in memory of the pregnant mother, who was expecting a baby boy, according to her funeral notice.
Another of Ms Mc Nally's brothers, Niall McNally, praised the response of his sister's friends and neighbours to his family's loss.
"It's unbelievable. The residents here in Silverwood Green, I have to say, have been absolutely fantastic and I do truly feel for them, to have to go through this as well.
"It's brought shock and horror to their small community, but hopefully they are feeling a lot better tonight with this [vigil]," he told BBC Newsline.
"We're still feeling extremely sad, but we're taking great comfort in all the messages of support coming from her friends and her family and the wider community."
Mr McNally added that his devastated parents "also took great comfort in Natalie's dog being returned home to us the other night.
"That's kind of getting them through at the moment. It's like a part of her is with us in the house with the dog."
Ms McNally was stabbed a number of times, according to police.
Some of her wounds appeared to have been inflicted as she tried to defend herself, they added.
They said there was no sign of a break-in at the victim's house and she may have known her killer.
Natalie McNally was 32 and was expecting a child when she was killed
They have arrested two men but both have been released on bail.
They also released CCTV footage of a suspect who was filmed entering and leaving Silverwood Green on Sunday night, more than 24 hours before she was pronounced dead.
At the scene - BBC News NI Lyndsey Telford
There is such raw emotion and sorrow in Lurgan tonight.
It is the night before Christmas Eve and Natalie McNally's friends and family should be gathering to celebrate the holidays.
Instead, they have gathered for a vigil in her memory.
Nearly five days after her killing, despite two arrests and the release of CCTV footage, police are yet to charge anyone and the community here remains in shock.
Both of the men who were detained on suspicion of murder are in their 30s.
The first man was detained on Monday night, shortly after the emergency services were called to Ms McNally's house.
The following day he was released on bail pending further inquiries.
Police were still at the crime scene in Silverwood Green earlier on Friday
The second suspect, who is 32, was detained on Wednesday before being released on police bail on Thursday night.
Ms McNally's worked for the public transport provider Translink where she was part of the marketing team.
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- Published22 December 2022
