Minute’s silence held in County House Lifford for Derry murder victim Amy Doherty

A minute’s silence was held in County House Lifford for Derry murder victim Amy Doherty.

The 28-year-old mother-of-two was found with serious injuries in the Summer Meadows Mews area of Derry on Saturday, March 21. She later died in hospital.

At the March plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, a minute’s silence for Ms Doherty was proposed by 100% Redress Cllr Joy Beard. She also called for a wider discussion on violence in the home.

Cllr Beard attended a vigil for Ms Doherty in Carndonagh on Friday, organised by Lifeline Inishowen, which provides support and counselling for anyone who has experienced or is experiencing domestic abuse. Thirty balloons were released at the vigil, to represent the 30 women who have been killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.

The proposal for a minute’s silence was seconded by Independent Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig. Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry McMonagle also echoed Cllr Beard’s calls for a wider discussion on domestic violence.

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On Friday, a man appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Doherty.

Connor McNamee, 30, of Summer Meadow Mews in Derry, was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a kitchen knife, and possession of a class A controlled drug, cocaine.

Court papers said the murder charge was aggravated by reason of involving domestic abuse. He appeared at Derry Magistrates’ Court via videolink.

There was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody until April 23.