Murder Victim Was Afraid

There may have been an opportunity to save a pregnant mother of four who was murdered in Londonderry at the weekend.

The victim is reported to have told people last Thursday that she was frightened.

Local SDLP councillor Shaun Gallagher, who is the Chairman of the District Policing Partnership for the area, has said that Ms Quigley suffered an "horrendous" death and that she told people she was frightened - but did not contact the police.

Her four children - three boys and one girl - are believed to be aged 12, 8, 6 and 4, and it is also understood that she was six months pregnant when she was murdered.

A post mortem examination to establish the cause of death was due to be carried out today.

No details of the victim's injuries were released by police, but it is understood that forensic officers spent a good part of yesterday at the crime scene.

Although the body was discovered on Saturday evening, police are asking local people is they saw any suspicious activity between 10.30pm on Friday night to 8pm on Saturday.

Mr Gallagher said that the killing was "horrendous" and that the local community was reeling in shock following the brutal murder.

Mr Gallagher continued: "One of the things that's annoying me is that apparently this girl was frightened on Thursday.

"It's just unfortunate that she didn't tell the authorities because this might have been prevented."

The DPP chairman also said that police had been shocked at what they found inside the house, adding: "I do believe from what I've heard from the police that the horror of this death and the way that this young woman met death left them shocked."

Ms Quigley is understood to have separated from her partner, with whom she had the four children. Police have said they are following a number of lines of enquiry.

(BMcC)