A large crowd gathered this morning to pay their respects at the funeral of Amy Doherty, a young mother of two who was tragically murdered at the weekend.
Amy was remembered for her magnetic personality and joyful smile.
The 28-year-old was found injured in a house in the Summer Meadows Mews area of Derry on Saturday morning, March 21. She died a short time later in hospital.
A 30-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of the young woman’s murder.
It is understood he was rescued from the River Foyle on Saturday morning after a major police and Fire Service operation. The PSNI has confirmed that the man is undergoing medical treatment and is not fit for interview at this time.
The pews of Holy Family Church in Ballymagroarty were filled with Amy’s family and friends, who heard of her loving and caring nature.
The parish priest, Fr Joe Gormley, spoke of how last Saturday, March 21 marks the point in the year when finally after the winter months the light of spring wins through and for the next 6 months the time of light in our days exceeds the time of darkness.
However for Amy’s family, friends and the wider community, her death has brought a “darkness, sadness and anguish deeper than any lack of daylight.”
“This darkness is deeper than any lack of daylight because the light of a life of a mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, grandniece, niece, cousin and friend was so tragically ended.
“The darkness in a sense is deeply intensified when we hear the human story of the beauty of who Amy Doherty is.”
“Amy is a person who has a magnetic personality, who would draw people to her by her joyful smile.”
Fr Gormley spoke of Amy’s work as a carer and her dedicated work during the COVID crisis, when she would lift the spirits of patients in Altnagelvin Hospital.
“She would always try and find fun, find humour, particularly in those dark days when people were very afraid. She would help people set up video calls to enable them to connect with people outside.”
But the heart of Amy’s care were her two young children, Rhea and Ronan, who were described as the “greatest gifts of her life.”
“They were the centre of her life and the focus of the love and attention, and they are the centre of our thoughts and prayers today and beyond,” said Fr Gormley.
Donegal vigil
Meanwhile, Lifeline Inishowen is calling on people to take part in a candlelight vigil tomorrow night at 7pm at the centre in Carndonagh. At the same time, a vigil will take place in Derry, on Guildhall steps.
“Please come along and help us stand up against domestic abuse,” a spokesperson for Lifeline Inishowen said.
A fundraiser set up for Amy’s two young children, Rhea and Ronan, has raised over £50,000.