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2nd April 2024
10:00am BST
An Irish woman has died after a suspected stabbing in a New York bar over the weekend.
41-year-old Sarah McNally, originally from Longford town, died after allegedly being attacked at her workplace, The Ceili House pub on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, Queens, on Saturday evening at around 6.30pm.
A man, believed to be her attacker, also suffered stab wounds to his neck and back. Both were taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where Ms. McNally was pronounced dead.
The man remains in critical condition.
A spokesman for the NYPD said: "On Saturday, March 30, 2024, at approximately 18:34 hours, police responded to a 911 call for an assault in progress at 69-56 Grand Avenue within the confines of the 104 Precinct.
"Upon arrival (at the Céilí House Irish pub on Grand Avenue in Maspeth), police observed a 41‑year-old female with a stab wound to the neck and an unidentified male with a stab wound to the back and neck.
"EMS (emergency medical services) responded and transported both aided individuals to NYC Health and Hospitals/ Elmhurst in critical condition.
"The 41-year-old female was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital staff."
Police believe that the attacker was known to Sarah.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland show on Monday morning, Longford Councillor Martin Monaghan said that Longford town is in "a state of shock" as the community "attempt to come to terms with the loss of such a young life ".
Revealing that Ms McNally moved to New York a decade ago, Cllr Monaghan said that she came from a well known family of "really decent Longford people".
“It comes as a huge shock to the family to get this news over a Bank Holiday weekend," he said, adding that the nature of her death was "very cruel" and an “awful lot worse than it would be at home with the distance”.
Cllr Monaghan added, "I have no doubt that the vast Longford community in New York, and we have a huge community in the area, will do their utmost to support the family at this difficult time."
Sarah's aunt Mary wrote on Facebook: "Rest in peace my beautiful niece Sarah, we are heartbroken. Love you always."
Margaret Gaffey, another of Sarah's aunts, offered her own heartbreaking words, writing: "My beautiful niece taken too soon. Love you."
Other mourners shared their condolences, saying: "Sarah was such a lovely soul. May she rest in peace," and "She was a beautiful girl."
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