Huge crowds turn out for Lurgan rally to remember Natalie McNally

Violence against women and girls is a scourge on society, the brother of murder victim Natalie McNally has told a rally in her memory.

More than 1,000 people attended the vigil in Lurgan Park in Co Armagh, which also called for an end to all violence against females.

Ms McNally, who was 32 and 15 weeks pregnant, was fatally stabbed on December 18 in her home in Silverwood Green in the Co Armagh town.

Despite a number of police appeals and several arrests, nobody has yet been charged over her death.

Police have so far carried out hundreds of house-to-house inquiries and seized more than 4,000 hours of CCTV footage.

The rally was organised by the National Women's Council (NWC) and was attended by Natalie's parents Noel and Bernie and her brothers Brendan, Niall and Declan.

A number of politicians were in attendance, including Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill.

Many of those in attendance carried placards reading: "Justice for Natalie", and: "She was only at home", while a number wore pink or blue items of clothing in memory of the mother-to-be.

Brendan McNally told the rally that his sister was an inspiration to other women.

He said: "Natalie was a remarkable person. From the age of three she lived with type one diabetes.

"However, it remains a testament to her character that she was never restrained in what she wanted to achieve in life.

"She was delighted to be becoming a mother for the first time. For any young person living with diabetes in Northern Ireland, Natalie is an ideal inspiration."

He added: "Violence against women and girls is one of the great scourges of our society.

"This is no basis for a shared future.

"The time has long come for us to recognise that we cannot rest until the perpetual assaults against women are ended for good."

Another brother, Declan McNally, then introduced a video montage showing excerpts from Ms NcNally's life.

He said: "This video is a montage of memories of Natalie and this was put together by Natalie's loving partner.

"Please keep Natalie's partner in your thoughts and prayers.

"She was a living her best life, that is what we want to remember in all this grief and sadness."

Noel McNally said: "It is very frustrating but we know the police are doing everything.

"They are throwing everything they have. We have every confidence they will catch this person."

Rachel Coyle, head of campaigns and mobilisation at the National Women's Council, said the rally was an opportunity for society to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the McNally family.

He said: "We are in awe of their determination to find justice.

"More than that, Natalie is the 16th woman who was murdered in similar circumstances last year.

"That is why we are here to continue to campaign for an end to violence against women.

"I live here in Lurgan. Women are afraid that this person has not been caught. This is a reality for women."