Letter from murdered woman’s daughter read at Derry candlelight vigil

The lights on the Guildhall Square Christmas tree and surrounding festive illuminations were switched off during a one minute’s silence in remembrance of the 24 women murdered in the North since 2024.

The poignant tribute came at the end of a 16 Days of Action candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening organised by Foyle Women’s Aid.

Foyle Women's Aid's 16 Days of Action Candlelight Vigil in Derry's Guildhall in memory of the 24 women murdered in the North since 2020.

The vigil gave particular voice to the families of Katie Simpson and Montserrat Martorell, who were killed in the city in 2020 and 2024. 

Caoimhe Tracey, a support worker with Foyle Women’s Aid, read aloud a letter from Gisela Martorell - Montserrat’s daughter.

#Derry #16DaysOfAction #CandleLightVigil

Caoimhe Tracey (@FoyleWomensAid) reads a letter from Gisela Martorell - the daughter of Montserrat Martorell, who was killed in the city in August.

Gisela described her mother as a "free, brave & resilient soul".

She said: "Today I… pic.twitter.com/dC3L1s7uZ8

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 10, 2024

Gisela described her mother as a “free, brave and resilient soul”.

She said: “Today I want to pay tribute to my mother, a loving woman full of strength and light. Although her departure was unfair and premature, her legacy lives on in me and who I am.

“My mother was a woman with a lovely personality. The truth is she was a woman who always knew how to overcome problems and find new paths.

“My mother taught me to have an open mind, to respect other cultures and to beliefs, to love animals, to be independent, to not be afraid to experiment and to always face problems with a bit of humour.

“My mother’s love was unconditional. She was my guide. I always found shelter in her. 

“Her departure has left an immense void. She has been Cruelly taken from us. She did not deserve to suffer in this way. I wish with all my heart the person who did this pays for it because God cannot forgive him. 

“Mum, I miss you every day. I still can’t believe you are no longer here. I know you care for me and watch over me and you accompany me on my path. I promise to lead a life that honours your legacy, that wherever you are you can continue to be proud of me. Mama ti amo, I love you and I always will carry you in my heart. Thank you.”

Addressing the vigil, Paula Mullan, aunt of murdered showjumper Katie Simpson, said this was the family’s fifth Christmas without Katie.

#Derry #16DaysOfAction #CandlelightVigil

Paula Mullan, the aunt of murdered showjumper, Katie Simpson, said this was the family's fifth year without Katie.

Paula added: "Katie was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, niece, cousin & friend.

"Katie loved her family &… pic.twitter.com/7z1SsCMiuJ

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 10, 2024

She added: “Katie was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend. Katie loved her family and was loved by us all.

“She was crazy about horses, Country and Western music, going to the beach and being with her friends. She was hardworking, brave, feisty and stood up for herself. She was full of fun and mischief. This is how we, her family remember her, and her smile.

“But, she was taken from us by a man who controlled and abused her but today is not about him. While Katie is gone, her beautiful smile lives on but on posters, which are a shocking reminder of what happened to her and 23 other women in the past four years in Northern Ireland.

“Victims can get lost in the headlines, the news reports, court cases and enquiries. They have no voice anymore. Shockingly, they are often blamed in some way for their terrible crime that was committed against them. It is up to us as individuals and as a community, to stand up for the victims, be their voice,” said Paula.

Paula also asked people not to be afraid to “call out” violence against women.

“There is help out there,” she added. “It is hard to believe 24 women have lost their lives to violence in the past four years in the North of Ireland. 

“We remember all these women here today. We remember the families and know only too well the pain they are going through. 

“All that is left to us as Katie’s family is to speak out and hope no-one else goes through what we have gone through and are still going through. 

“Our fight now is for the truth to be told and justice for Katie. We hope she knows how much she was loved and missed. Thank you everyone here. It is good to know we are not alone in our sorrow and in our fight for justice. I would like to thank Women’s Aid for organising this vigil and for all its support. It is important to us Katie is never forgotten. Thank you,” said Paula. 

Following the minute's silence, the Thyme To Sing choir from CALMS (Community Action For Locally Managing Stress) sang Labi Siffre’s anthem ‘So Strong’.

#Derry #16DaysOfAction #CandlelightVigil

Following a minute's silence in remembrance of the 24 women murdered in the North since 2020, the Thyme To Sing choir from CALMS (Community Action For Locally Managing Stress) sang So Strong by Labi Siffre. pic.twitter.com/QVkUVSNgYk

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 10, 2024

Speaking to The Derry News following the vigil, Katie Simpson’s mother, Noleen Mullan, said it was “great to see so many people come out to support us tonight”.

She added: “We want to bring awareness as well to other parents going through this.”

Marie Brown, CEO of Foyle Women’s Aid and the Family Justice Centre described the vigil as “moving”.

#Derry #16DaysOfAction #CandlelightVigil

Marie Brown (CEO @FoyleWomensAid & @FoyleFJC) speaking about the pain suffered by the families of Katie Simpson & Montserrat Martorell.

She said: "The reality is families are missing the person they love & have to struggle & go on.… pic.twitter.com/S7epFGHlYc

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 10, 2024

“It was lovely of the CALMS choir to come out and put music on and we had the cooperation of the Council to turn off the lights. 

“I think people are supportive of families here and I know it’s Christmas and it’s a busy time but families need to know people are with them as well because the Simpson family have had quite a journey and they have a further journey to go, in order to get justice for Katie, get explanations about Katie’s death, how things went so badly wrong. They are on a journey and it is one which has to continue.

“Foyle Women’s Aid will stay with them throughout the journey. They realise Katie will never come back but they feel strongly, the mistakes that were made should never happen again.”