Man, 20s, arrested in Dublin on suspicion of murder of young mum, 22, in Belfast home as sister pays devastating tribute
A MAN, aged in his 20s, has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 22-year-old woman in Belfast.
Tragic Mary Ward was found dead at her home on Melrose Street in the south of the city last Tuesday but police believe she had not been seen alive since September 25.
Gardai confirmed this afternoon that detectives attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, assisted by DMR resources arrested a male on suspicion of the murder of Mary.
And Gardai have commenced a murder investigation in accordance with provisions under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act 1976.
The arrested man is detained under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Dublin.
A statement from Gardai added: "An Garda Siochana continues to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this investigation.
"A Garda spokesperson is not available at this time."
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Mary had been a "victim of a violent crime" just weeks before she was killed.
It was confirmed late on Monday night by police that they were investigating a murder.
Mary, who had an eight-month-old son, had been laid to rest earlier that day.
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The Police Ombudman's Office has confirmed that it is investigating the police response to Mary's report of violence in the weeks leading up to her death.
A Police Ombudsman Spokesperson said: "We offer our deepest condolences to Mary Ward’s family.
"Following Ms Ward’s murder, we received a referral from PSNI on Sunday evening (6 October 2024). We have completed our initial review and have now commenced an independent investigation.
"In the weeks prior to her murder, Ms Ward reported to police that she had been the victim of a violent crime.
"Our investigation will focus on the police response to this report."
God will punish the ones that destroyed you.”
Louise Ward
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she is seriously concerned around the circumstances of the death of Mary, and said "questions need to be answered" around the police response.
Speaking to media in Belfast Ms O’Neill said: “I am very concerned, I think we all should be very concerned, the fact that this apparently was reported before she tragically lost her life.
“This is catastrophic that this is happening again in our society so collectively we know that we have a lot of work to do to end violence against women and girls.
“But in terms of the policing response, I think we need to get to the heart of that, what has gone wrong here, questions need to be answered and I am prepared to meet with the chief constable and to work with others in terms of establishing all the facts around this horrific case and another tragic loss of a female life.”
She added that her door is always open to everybody, in terms of whether she would meet with Ms Ward’s family.
Mary’s heartbroken sister Louise Ward said on social media that the family had never been through “a harder week.”
She said: "Mary you didn’t deserve this. I hope [we're] doing you proud."
In another post accompanied by a picture of tragic Mary, Louise said loved ones had been dealt “blow after blow” since the young mum was last seen alive in September.
Louise added: “But Mary we will get justice for you my girl. I never did think in a million years I would lose you.”
Louise also thanked "each and every" person who showed respect to her sister as she was laid to rest, adding: "You will get the best bed in heaven my sister."
FOURTH WOMAN KILLED IN SIX WEEKS
MARY is the fourth woman to be killed in Northern Ireland in just six weeks and a major hunt is currently underway for her killer, with the PSNI pledging that they were “absolutely determined” to solve the murder.
Head of Public Protection Branch Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said: "This is absolutely appalling. Four families have been shattered forever by meaningless violence.
"As a Police Service we recently revised our Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan and adopted the new national framework to align our response to this violence with that of terrorism and serious and organised crime.
"The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less.
"We are absolutely determined that we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators.”
Over 30 women and girls have been murdered in Northern Ireland over the past five years.
The family released pink and white balloons in memory of Mary on Friday, with Louise admitting she "can’t believe we have to do this for you".
After Mary was buried, Louise wrote: “God will punish the ones that destroyed you.”
Addressing Mary's family, Women's Aid NI said: "We cannot begin to imagine the horrific pain you are experiencing at the moment, but please know our thoughts and hearts are with you all at this incredibly distressing time."
Anyone with information relating to Mary's death, no matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, can contact police by calling 101. You can also .
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Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, with total anonymity on 0800 555 111 or online.
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the .
