Amy Doherty murder suspect medically unfit for interview

A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering a mother-of-two is currently receiving medical treatment and is not fit for interview, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed.

Amy Doherty was found injured at a property in the Summer Meadows Mews area of Londonderry on Saturday at about 10:20 GMT and later died in hospital.

The man was arrested on Saturday.

It is understood he fell from the Foyle Bridge that morning, prompting road closures and a search and rescue operation. He was later rescued and arrested by police and remains in custody.

Ms Doherty's family said they have been "crushed with disbelief, sadness and pain".

Her funeral will take place on Thursday.

On Wednesday, business was suspended at Derry City and Strabane District Council's monthly meeting, with councillors instead paying tribute to Ms Doherty and discussing violence against women and girls.

"It is a major societal problem in this part of world," Derry's mayor Ruairí McHugh told councillors.

He said Ms Doherty's two children have "been so tragically left without their loving mother," adding his "heartfelt sympathies were with her family and friends".

Ulster Unionist councillor Janice Montgomery said she knew Ms Doherty from the school run.

She was "extremely warm and friendly," Montgomery said, and a mother "who loved and doted on her children".

"This tragedy is another stark reminder of the urgent need to tackle violence against women and girls," Montgomery said.

"We need better support for victims, stronger protections and a justice system that holds perpetrators fully accountable," she said.

SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid said Ms Doherty's death has been devastating for her family, friends and for the whole community.

"I am just so frustrated by it all," she told councillors.

"I'm swinging between total devastation and sadness to anger because we should not be sitting in this position in 2026 where a woman isn't safe in her own home," McDaid said.

Sinn Féin's Aisling Hutton said Ms Doherty was a young mummy who "loved those babies like any mother loves their children".

"What we also want to do is send a clear message to any woman that is suffering any type of abuse," Hutton said.

"I want to send a clear message to those women who are living in fear. Please, please reach out for that help. There is help available," she said.

DUP councillor Chelsea Cooke said Ms Doherty was not just a name and a headline.

"She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a neighbour. She was a mother whose children will now grow up without her love, her guidance and her presence.

"And this is a loss beyond measure," Cooke said.

But, she added, it was time to "confront a difficult truth".

"Amy's death is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a wider pattern of violence against women and girls that continues to scar families and communities across our society. And so today we say enough," she said.

Ending violence against women and girls, she added, "is not just a policy issue, it is a moral responsibility and it requires all of us".

"It requires an education, accountability and a culture that challenges harmful attitudes, wherever they exist," she said.

Wednesday's meeting closed with a minute's silence in memory of Ms Doherty and all those who had lost their lives as a result of violence against women and girls.

A vigil in memory of Ms Doherty will be held at Derry's Guildhall on Friday evening.