Northern Ireland

Funeral on Monday for murdered mum-of-two Karen Cummings

Service will be held in Banbridge for 40-year-old nurse

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a woman in Banbridge. Detective Inspector Miller said: “Police received a report at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday evening, 14th December of an unconscious woman with a serious head injury inside a house in the Laurel Heights area of the town. “Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service who provided medical treatment at the scene. “Sadly the woman, who has been named as 40-year-old Karen Cummings, was pronounced deceased a short time later. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. Two men have been arrested in connection with the investigation. “A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene on Saturday evening, 14th December on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.
Karen Cummings, whose funeral will take place in Banbridge on Monday.
By Paul Ainsworth

A funeral for Banbridge murder victim Karen Cummings is taking place in the Co Down town on Monday.

The service comes after hundreds gathered in Banbridge and Newry for candlelit vigils in memory of the 40-year-old pediatric nurse.

The mother-of-two was found fatally injured at her home in Banbridge’s Laurel Heights area on the evening of Saturday December 14.

Two men have appeared in court charged with her murder.

Ms Cummings was the seventh woman murdered in the north this year, and the 25th since 2020.

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She and other victims of violence against women and girls were remembered at Friday’s vigils, which were held in Banbridge’s Solitude Park, and in Newry, where Ms Cummings worked at Daisy Hill Hospital.

People take part in a vigil organised by Women’s Aid Down Armagh at Solitude Park in Banbridge
Karen Cummings and other victims of violence against women and girls were remembered at Friday's vigil in Banbridge. PICTURE: PA (Rebecca Black/PA)

At the Banbridge vigil, organised by Women’s Aid Armagh and Down, attendees heard a call for “real and proper action” by Stormont to tackle the issue of gender violence.

A death notice for Ms Cummings describes her as the “devoted mummy of Curtis and Zara, cherished daughter of Margarita and stepdaughter of Andrew and loving granddaughter of Mary and the late Jim McQuaid”.

It adds she will be “sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her heartbroken children, mother, stepfather, grandmother, her uncles Eugene and his wife Karen, Philip and his wife Alison and Martin and his partner Stephanie, her auntie Wendy, her cousins, her friends, her Paediatric nursing colleagues at Daisy Hill Hospital and the entire family circle”.

A funeral will take place at 1pm on Monday afternoon at St Thérèse’s Church on Banbridge’s Scarva Road, followed by a burial at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Dromore.

An online fundraising campaign to support Ms Cumming’s two children has smashed a £2,500 target, with over £7,500 raised as of Sunday.

Organiser Emma Lavery said: “In memory of our beloved friend, Karen, who was taken from us far too soon, we’re coming together to support her two beautiful children.

“After chatting with Karen’s extended family, we have their blessing to set up this GoFundMe page to help them during this challenging time and provide some financial support as they navigate these difficult days ahead.”