Longford woman who died following stabbing in New York named locally

Updated: 2.15pm

A woman from Co Longford who died following a stabbing incident at an Irish Pub in New York has been named locally as 41-year-old Sarah McNally.

Ms McNally had been working at The Ceili House in Queens on Saturday evening when the incident happened.

She was reportedly attacked by a man who also seriously injured himself.

Longford Councillor Martin Monaghan said the news has come as a "terrible shock" for people in her hometown.

As the Irish Examiner reports, Mr Monahan described Ms McNally as “an integral part of Longford life” before she moved to New York, having worked in bars around the area.

He added Ms McNally's family are "really, really decent Longford people" within the close-knit community.

Emergency services attended the bar at around 6.30pm on Saturday, and Ms McNally and the 40-year-old alleged assailant were  taken to Elmhurst Hospital.

Ms McNally was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The man remains in critical condition, the New York Police Department said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.

In a statement, the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) said: "On Saturday, March 30th, 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, 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 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. The investigation remains ongoing."

The Department of Foreign Affairs said neither its American embassy nor its Dublin office had been contacted regarding the assault as of Sunday evening.