Family of late Natalie McNally join women’s groups at an ‘end the violence’ rally at the gates of Queen’s

Members of the late Natalie McNally’s family joined with women’s groups and trade unionists at an ‘end the violence’ rally at the gates of Queen’s University on Wednesday.

Around 200 people attended the rally, organised by Rosa, a feminist protest group, to call for an end to gender-based violence.

Since August, four men have been charged with the murder of a woman in Northern Ireland.

Police are also investigating the death of Mandy Magill in Co Down days ago.

And on Wednesday, a murder investigation was also launched into the death of a little girl, Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa, who was just 23 months old.

Speakers at yesterday’s rally included representatives of Women’s Aid and members of the trade union movement.

Sarah Mason of Women’s Aid told those present that shelters were full.

It is understood that one woman gave birth this week in a refuge where she is staying having fled an abusive relationship.

Watch: Hundreds show up to support stand out against gender based violence

“We need to make a stand, we need to action and change, it is really important for Women’s Aid to be here today,” said Ms Mason.

Speaking of the venue for the protest Ms Mason said, “It is a very appropriate place to be standing and have young people listening and understanding that we need to end violence against women and girls”.

Organiser Eva Martin said: “Everyone will be aware that there is an epidemic of gender-based violence, we need to do something to tackle this issue.

“We are coming here today to demand that emergency action be taken, but also to get real about building a movement against misogyny, violence and abuse.”

Among those who attended the protest was Bernie McNally, the aunt of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally.

A man has pleaded not guilty to her murder and is due to stand trial next year.

Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, suffered a violent death in her own home in December 2022.

She said that every time they hear news of another death it is very “retraumatising” for the family.

Ms McNally praised the young feminists who organised the rally and said it was important to continue raising a voice against the increase in femicide.

“There are young men here today and they are really brilliant, but we need to challenge the misogyny and challenge the Andrew Tate issues —society really needs to take them on,” she said.

Several speakers mentioned Tate, the controversial social media influencer, currently facing human trafficking charges in Romania.

Tate — a former kickboxer who poses with fast cars, guns and portrays himself as a cigar-smoking playboy — posts content where he speaks about hitting and choking women.

Domestic abuse charities have warned his views are capable of radicalising men and boys to commit violence.

As a social worker, Ms McNally said she has been “working within this field all my life”.

But she added: “The morning Natalie McNally died it was like the end of the world and you think to yourself, this is how all these people feel. I can try to empathise but when it actually arrives on your doorstep, you only then understand the pain.”

People Before Profit’s Fiona Ferguson also spoke at the rally. She said that social housing was important to ensure that women fleeing violence were given practical support to allow them to find a place of safety.

“We have to send a clear message that we will not accept another death of a woman, especially while those in power fail to do anything about it and create the conditions where women are trapped,” she said.