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02nd Apr 2024

Man charged with murder of Irish woman in New York pub

Joseph Loftus

A 36-year-old man has been charged.

Yesterday (April 1), reports emerged that an Irish woman had died following a stabbing in a New York bar over the weekend.

The woman was later identified as 41-year-old Sarah McNally, originally from Longford town.

She was attacked in her workplace, The Ceili House pub on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, Queens, on Saturday evening at around 6.30pm.

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.”

NYPD Crest
Getty Images

Just a few hours ago, the NYPD issued another statement confirming that a 36-year-old man has now been charged with Sarah’s murder.

CBS has reported that the incident is being described by the police as domestic in nature.

The man has also been charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Tributes have been pouring in for Sarah since the tragic news emerged.

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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