Mum's agony at New York pub stabbing - 'My daughter's been murdered, there's nothing else to say'

The mother of New York murder victim Sarah McNally spoke out last night – as cops waited to question the man suspected of stabbing her to death.

“My daughter was murdered. There is nothing else to say,” Dorrie O’Connor told The Mirror at her home in Longford Town.

Ms O’Connor was speaking just hours after the shock news that her only child Sarah (41) was murdered in New York City – where she had been living for more than a decade.

Ms O’Connor said she did not want to talk when approached by The Mirror at her home on the outskirts of Longford town.

She told us: “What do you want me to say? My daughter was murdered. There is nothing else to say. It is in the papers already – what more can you say? I have nothing to tell, I am sorry.”

Ms McNally was stabbed, who used to work in the Irish Prison Service before emigrating to America, in the neck at the Céilí House on Grand Avenue in Queens around 6:30pm local time on Saturday, where she had worked for several years.

She was rushed to hospital following the incident but was pronounced dead.

Sarah McNally

A man who suffered stab wounds to his neck and back in the incident remains in a critical condition. Investigators are working on the theory that the man stabbed Ms McNally before knifing himself.

He was still being treated for his injuries in hospital last night, but they are not life threatening.

And as soon as he is declared medically fit to be interview, NYPD cops will be talking to him about the horror attack.

Police at the scene at Ceili House on Grand Avenue, Queens

Last night, mourners were paying tribute to Ms McNally, who had lived in New York for around 10 years, and said the whole of Longford town is “in shock” in the wake of her violent death.

“It’s shocking sad,” one local wrote on social media. “The whole town is in shock.”

Her aunt, Mary McNally, wrote: “Rest in peace my beautiful niece Sarah, we are heartbroken. Love you always.”

“Sarah was such a lovely soul. May she rest in peace,” one person commented. “She was a beautiful girl.”

Another aunt, Margaret Gaffey, said her “beautiful niece” had been “taken all too soon”.

And cousin Petra Smth said: “My beautiful cousin, just can’t believe it. IP Sarah x”

Sarah McNally

Ms McNally is survived by her mother Dorrie, father Des, and their extended family.

NYPD investigators believe the victim knew her attacker, and that they had targeted her while she was working in the pub. No arrests have been made.

“On Saturday, March 30, 2024, at approximately 18:34, police responded to a 911 call for an assault in progress at 69-56 Grand Avenue within the confines of the 104 Precinct,” police said in a statement.

“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.”

Sarah McNally

Seamus Butler, a Fianna Fail councillor, told the Irish Star that there was widespread shock and sadness in Longford after the news emerged.

“Our hearts go out to her family here in Longford and obviously when something like this happens overseas it’s so much more difficult,” he said. “There are supports and hopefully the family are able to avail of them.”

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.