A Belfast man accused of murdering pregnant mum-of-two Sarah Montgomery and causing the destruction of her unborn child has admitted responsibility during police interviews, a court heard on Wednesday.
At Newtownards Magistrates Court, a prosecuting lawyer said, “just for the benefit of everyone, the defendant does not dispute that he is responsible for what occurred.” Zak Hughes (28), from Ardglen Place, Belfast, but currently on remand in HMP Maghaberry, is charged with murdering Sarah Montgomery on June 27 and with the destruction of her unborn child on the same date.
The rarely used charge states that “with intent to destroy the life of a child capable of being born alive, by a wilful act caused a child to die before it had an existence independent of its mother.”
Sarah, 27, a mother of two daughters who was heavily pregnant, was found dead at her home on Elmfield Walk, Donaghadee, that Saturday afternoon.
Hughes was arrested within hours, and while the court has not yet heard full details, a Detective Chief Inspector has testified that he believes he can connect Hughes to both offences.
At last weekend’s Pro Life Campaign National Conference in Dublin, Senator Sharon Keogan called for the introduction of an Unborn Victims of Violence law in Ireland – legislation that would recognise the humanity and loss involved when a pregnant woman is attacked and her unborn child dies as a result. Currently, Irish law does not regard the death of such a child as the loss of a human life. Senator Keogan told the conference she is committed to ensuring that such a law is enacted.