‘She was the best mum I could ask for’ - daughter pays tribute to pregnant Fermanagh crash victim

The young daughter of a pregnant woman killed in a crash in Co Fermanagh has said “I have lost the love of my life”.

Valeria Amorim (28) from the Belleek area was six months pregnant when she and two other pedestrians were hit by a car in her hometown on Monday evening.

She sadly died at the scene while two of her family members were also seriously injured.

Josephine Feely (34) from Blackrock Park, Belleek, is charged with causing the death by dangerous driving and a court heard this week she was over the legal alcohol limit as well as being an unaccompanied learner driver.

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In an emotional interview with the Impartial Reporter, Ms Amorim’s nine-year-old daughter Valentina Fernandes Amorim, husband Marcelo Fernandes and mother Wanda Pereira Amorim spoke of the devastation the family were experiencing.

“My mum was the love of my life. She was the best mum I could ask for,” said Valentina.

Her mother has been expecting a baby girl, who she had planned to name Chloe.

Ms Pereira Amorim added: “She was an incredible person; she was very loved. She was a kind person, and nothing ever bothered her. She was always quiet in her own way.

“She always looked after her daughter, Valentina. She was a 24/7 mum.”

Ms Amorim was originally from Brazil and moved to Northern Ireland in 2019, living in Garrison for two years before settling in Belleek.

Her mother Wanda said her daughter had “loved life” in Northern Ireland.

“She was always happy, and she was an incredibly loved character. She was beautiful, she always liked to look good.”

Married for ten years, Mr Fernandes said he was still in shock over the loss.

“I loved her so much…she was my everything,” he said.

A “wonderful, caring person,” he said his late wife loved sports and fitness including going to the gym and playing football.

Family friend Reijane Guimarae added: “This was the place she loved the most…this was where she had her family. Her life was here.”

A retired doctor also told the paper how he had attempted to resuscitate Ms Amorim at the scene of the crash.

Dr Tom Kiernan said he had been in Daly Park, Belleek, when he came across the crash.

“I was walking home and I heard screaming,” he said. “I didn’t know what it was initially. I didn’t hear any kind of bang. However, it was clear that there was a person who was in distress.

“The fire brigade were on the scene; they were giving a woman chest compressions, and had her attached to a defib monitor.

“I continued with the chest compressions to ascertain what kind of injuries we were dealing with.

“It was obvious she had severe head trauma. Sadly, after a few minutes, I decided that life was extinct.”

He added: “This has come as a huge shock to everyone. It’s especially sad as the woman was so young, and an expectant mum.”

A fundraising appeal on behalf of the family has since generated over £13,000 on gofundme.

Family friend Glenn Lindsay commented: “I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your support during an incredibly difficult time.

“In the midst of grieving, Marcelo is now faced with the daunting task of arranging a funeral for his wife while still trying to give support to his daughter and family . We all know how overwhelming funeral expenses can be, and the last thing we want is for Marcelo to worry about finances during this already painful time.”