Sarah Montgomery: Police investigating death of pregnant woman in Northern Ireland make second arrest
Sarah Montgomery - a 27-year-old mother-of-two -
A 28-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder over the weekend, remains in police custody.
The Police Service of (PSNI) said detectives have been granted a court extension of a further 36 hours to question him.
On Monday, the force said a 42-year-old woman has also been arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Police said both suspects were known to the victim and they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.
Detective chief inspector Tom Phillips said officers were "working at pace to determine the circumstances of Sarah's tragic murder and need help from people in the Donaghadee and Belfast areas".
"Did you see or hear anything unusual or suspicious in the Elmfield Walk area of Donaghadee between 1.20pm and 2.20pm on Friday 27 June?," he asked.
"Did you see a yellow Jeep Avenger in the Airport Road area of the Belfast Harbour Estate, East Belfast between 3.30pm and 4.15pm on Friday 27 June?
"Do you have CCTV, dashcam or phone footage which could be useful in our investigation?
"Even if you think it may not be important, please come forward and speak with us as even very small pieces of information could prove invaluable to us."
Read more from Sky News:
Mr Phillips said it was "an incredibly tragic case which has devastated Sarah's family and friends, and leaves two small children without their beloved mum".
"Specially trained officers will continue to support Sarah's family and we are working to do everything in our power to bring anyone involved in this senseless murder to justice," he added.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
More than 100 officers were hurt in Northern Ireland riots
More than 100 police officers were injured during recent rioting in Northern Ireland, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has revealed. Mr Boutcher said the actions of his officers had saved lives during the first night of racist violence in Ballymena last month. However, he warned that a budget crisis facing the force means that its reliance on external support is apparent. Violence erupted in Ballymena in June after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest in the Co Antrim town about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, described by police as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Police also dealt with several nights of sectarian disorder in Londonderry. Speaking during the monthly accountability meeting of the Policing Board, Mr Boutcher said Northern Ireland had experienced 'widespread racially and sectarian motivated rioting and disorder' in the past month. He said: 'In disgraceful scenes reminiscent of last summer, we saw hate-filled mobs throw petrol bombs, masonry, fireworks, an axe, at police officers, targeting homes and businesses. 'They targeted law-abiding, decent families from diverse communities who make Northern Ireland a better place, creating fear in people who simply want to live in peace. 'I can confirm the final number of injured officers as 107, many with head injuries from masonry and other missiles.' He added: 'There is no place for such violence, these actions were not about protest, they were attacks on the very fabric of our society. 'What sort of Northern Ireland do we want to live in?' The Chief Constable said every incident during the disturbances was being treated as a racially or sectarian motivated hate crime. He said: 'To date 56 arrests have been made and 27 individuals remanded into custody. 'More will follow as we pursue those responsible and bring them to justice. 'The deterrents of long prison sentences will be a sobering reality for many of those involved. 'Our own no-nonsense approach of arresting suspects with the swift release of suspect images had a further powerful deterrent effect.' 'We will use the most appropriate tactics, including AEP (attenuating energy projectiles) and water cannon to protect communities and my officers from harm. 'Our approach will be robust and it will be consistently applied.' Mr Boutcher referred to commentary suggesting rioters were treated differently in separate parts of Northern Ireland. He said: 'I want to be absolutely clear, we respond to public disorder without fear or favour. 'There is no difference to our approach based on the background or motivation of those involved. 'To suggest otherwise removes the focus of condemnation where it rightfully belongs, upon those using violence and spreading hate. 'It is crucial we are collectively seen to be unequivocal in standing together against these cowardly acts of racism, hatred and violence.' The Chief Constable continued: 'On that first night of disorder in Ballymena… officers of the PSNI saved people's lives and they put their own lives at risk to do that. 'We did not have enough officers there because we are not sufficiently resourced and that has got to change.' Mr Boutcher referred to mutual aid arrangements which led to officers from Police Scotland being sent to Northern Ireland during the rioting. He said: 'That mutual aid was required and again highlights the unacceptable fragility of our own resourcing. 'Our reliance on external support has never been more apparent.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man remanded in custody charged with murder of Sarah Montgomery
A 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Co Down. Zak Hughes, from Ardglen Place in Belfast, was also charged with child destruction during a brief appearance at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he stood in the dock and nodded when asked if he understood the charges. A PSNI detective chief inspector told the court he could connect Hughes to the offences. No facts of the case were laid out and there was no application for bail. The date of the offences given on court papers was June 27. District Judge Conor Heaney remanded Hughes in custody until July 30. Ms Montgomery, 27, died at her home in Donaghadee. Floral tributes have been left outside her house in Elmfield Walk. A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on suspicion of assisting an offender, was released unconditionally on Tuesday. The death of Ms Montgomery has led to renewed focus on the rate of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. She was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder of Sarah Montgomery in Co Down
A 28-year-old man has been charged with the murder of pregnant mother-of-two Sarah Montgomery in Co Down. Police said the man had also been charged with child destruction. The man is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Ms Montgomery, 27, died at her home in Donaghadee in Co Down on Saturday. Floral tributes have been left outside Ms Montgomery's home in the Elmfield Walk area. Earlier on Tuesday, a 47-year-old woman who was arrested as part of the investigation was released unconditionally.