Women's Aid expresses 'deepest sympathies' after seventh woman murdered in NI this year

Eva Osborne

Women's Aid is expressing its "deepest sympathies" after Karen Cummings became the seventh woman to be killed in Northern Ireland this year.

The 40-year-old was a mother of two, and worked as a paediatric nurse.

She died after suffering serious head injuries at a house in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge on Saturday.

Two men remain in police custody in relation to the investigation.

Women's Aid said: "Women's Aid NI would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and the wider Banbridge community following the news of the murder of Karen Cummings on Saturday.

"Please know our thoughts are with you all at this incredibly distressing time and we cannot begin to imagine what you are going through at the moment, especially at this time of year.

"Karen is the 25th woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, the vast majority of whom were murdered in their own homes. She is also the seventh woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in 2024."

Women's Aid NI statement on the murder of Karen Cummings.

For information on support please visit: https://t.co/jJHBHUZPbu pic.twitter.com/Uv0HrLtlII

— Women's Aid NI (@WomensAidNI) December 16, 2024

Speaking to Newstalk, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said the situation is heartbreaking: "It's tragic and we must remember there's a family right at the heart of this whole ordeal.

"I would encourage anyone who has any information to come forward to the police and I've been appealing all weekend that there's no speculation and that people give the police time and space to do what they need to do."