Northern Ireland

Young west Belfast woman who died suddenly remembered as someone who was 'just precious'

Katrina McCourt, who was 25 and from the Gortnamona area of Turf Lodge, died suddenly on March 4
Katrina McCourt, who was 25 and from the Gortnamona area of Turf Lodge, died suddenly on March 4 Katrina McCourt, who was 25 and from the Gortnamona area of Turf Lodge, died suddenly on March 4

The family of a young west Belfast woman who took her own life has appealed to anyone feeling in despair to "please reach out to someone".

Katrina McCourt, who was 25 and from the Gortnamona area of Turf Lodge, died on March 4.

The head cashier, who was on furlough from her job at Carrolls Irish gift store in Belfast city centre, was found by her father at the house she used to share with her boyfriend.

The young woman's sudden death comes almost three months after her partner died from natural causes in December.

The pair had lived together in a house on the Ballyclare Road near Glengormley.

Following his death, Katrina would regularly visit the house and sometimes stay there.

On Thursday, when the family had not heard from the much-loved daughter and sister, her father went to check on her and found her at her former home.

She had taken her own life.

Speaking to the Irish News, Leíghann McCourt said the loss of her sister had left the family in "complete and utter devastation".

The 36-year-old said her sister had been left "deep in grief" when her partner died.

She said the pair had met at Queen's University, where Katrina had studied theatre studies and they had become best friends before later becoming a couple in January last year.

"I can't explain how much pain she was in," said Leíghann.

"She just had days where she just couldn't cope. She couldn't live without him.

"They were literally the same person. It was like somebody just split this person in half."

Leíghann said her partner had passed away on December 20 and was buried the day before Christmas Eve.

"She was devastated," she said.

"Watching our Katrina's experience, that was just horrendous. It was like her world folded in.

"She literally had nothing. She actually was talking to us about the dark feelings she was having."

Leíghann said the Covid-19 restrictions made her sister's experience more difficult.

"She had no routine," she said.

"She tried to fill her time. She said `It's the moments I am by myself, that's the moments I struggle'. Her grief was unbearable because the human connection was gone except with family.

"She couldn't see friends. She couldn't go to work. All these restrictions, it's like they intensified everything.

"I wish things had have been different."

Leíghann said Katrina would be remembered as someone who was "really pure".

"She was just full of life and dreams. She was magical," she said.

"So many people have said she made their life sparkle. She was obsessed with Disney and was there every year up until Covid. She was like a wee kid at heart. Just really pure.

"She loved every member of her family with all her heart. She was just precious. Her personality was infectious. She had a great laugh and she laughed from her toes."

Leíghann said life would "never be the same".

"It is just a part that is now missing that we won't find," she said.

"It is just complete and utter devastation."

Leíghann also appealed to anyone feeling in need of support to "reach out to someone".

"It's hard to watch people so young mourning someone so young," she said.

"Please reach out to someone if you are going through grief. Shout if there is no-one listening. Please say something."

**Anyone in need of support can contact Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 or the Samaritans on 116 123