Vigil held in Derry for two woman killed - Sophie Watson and Montserrat Martorell

A vigil was held in Derry’s Guildhall to remember the two women killed in County Derry in the past week.

Organised by Foyle Women’s Aid and Alliance for Choice Derry, Thursday evening’s event included a minute’s silence for Montserrat Martorell (65) who was killed last weekend in the city and for Sophie Watson (57), who was killed in Magherafelt.

Marie Brown, CEO of Foyle Women’s Aid, read out the 22 names of the women to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, calling for more action to be taken in combating the violence to women. 

Goretti Horgan of Alliance for Choice, who chaired the vigil, wished to show a sign of solidarity to the families of the victims. 

She said: “We are here too often to remember murdered women.

“More women are killed per capita in Northern Ireland per capita than any other part of Europe. 

“We wanted to have this vigil to remember the two women killed in the same week in County Derry, Sophie Watson killed in Magherafelt and Montserrat Martorell, who were murdered in our own city. 

“We need to show solidarity with the families of these women and every woman who is living in fear and may be unable to leave their violent situation.”

Ciara O’Connor-Pozo read out a poem in Spanish to pay tribute to Montserrat in her national tongue and spoke after the vigil. 

She said: “I felt it was important to have first of all a sign of respect because Montserrat, she has been a rumour on social media and around the town the last couple of days, and I think we lose sight of the fact that these are not just headlines or figures; they are human beings who have tragically been taken from us.

“So I felt it was important to incorporate a bit of Spanish into this to acknowledge her culture and background into the vigil.

“Montserrat and Sophie are two individuals; people are grieving for them, so I wanted to add a personal touch.

“I am sad and angry that we have had to hold this vigil, the fact that violence against women is so endemic and that it continues. I think it is really important that Derry For Choice organise these vigils as a sign of respect but also to keep talking about the men who don’t respect women’s bodily autonomy, the fact we are human beings, and fight against the dehumanisation of women to the point where men murder women.”

Dozens of people gathered in Guildhall Square to pay their respect, including Caroline McGuinness-Brooks, who runs Repair and Share Foyle.

She said: “Women and men have to stand together; we have to show up in support against acts of violence, and we have to be teaching our children to be kind and be good, to look after one another. 

“Montserrat was from out of town, and I’m here because I want her family and friends in Spain to see that Derry people are mourning her, and we support them in their time of need.”