Northern Ireland

Community support for family at vigil for Lurgan murder victim Natalie McNally

Natalie McNally's brother Brendan and parents Bernadette and Noel at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh
Natalie McNally's brother Brendan and parents Bernadette and Noel at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh Natalie McNally's brother Brendan and parents Bernadette and Noel at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh

THE family of a murdered Co Armagh woman were supported by their local community last night as a vigil was held in her honour.

Natalie McNally (32), who was 15 weeks pregnant, was fatally stabbed at her home in Lurgan last Sunday.

Murder victim Natalie McNally
Murder victim Natalie McNally Murder victim Natalie McNally

Her devastated family called on residents of the Silverwood Green area to join them at the vigil to remember "our beautiful, funny and kind daughter, sister, niece and friend".

Natalie McNally's grieving brother Brendan comforts his mother Bernadette at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh
Natalie McNally's grieving brother Brendan comforts his mother Bernadette at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh Natalie McNally's grieving brother Brendan comforts his mother Bernadette at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh

There was an emotionally charged atmosphere as around 300 people gathered together on the street where a police cordon was still in place.

Ms McNally's parents were comforted by their sons as they laid flowers outside the house and there was also applause as balloons were released in tributes.

Natalie McNally's brother Niall and parents Bernadette and Noel at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh
Natalie McNally's brother Niall and parents Bernadette and Noel at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh Natalie McNally's brother Niall and parents Bernadette and Noel at the vigil in Lurgan. Picture by Philip Walsh

This week, her brother Niall spoke of the family's heartbreak they would never see her again or get to meet her baby.

A £20,000 reward for information which leads to arrest and conviction has been offered to the charity Crimestoppers.

On Thursday, police released CCTV footage of a man carrying a rucksack as he arrived at Silverwood Green.

During a public police appeal, Mr McNally pleaded with those responsible for killing his sister "to do the decent thing and confess to her murder".