Mother and girlfriend stabbed to death in Newtownabbey named locally

By Q Radio News

The two women stabbed to death in Newtownabbey have been named locally as Karen McClean and Stacey Knell. 

They were the mother and girlfriend of Ken Flanagan who is understood to have committed suicide after taking their lives. 

The three bodies were found at separate properties on Friday night. 

A police investigation is ongoing. 

The two women stabbed to death in Newtownabbey have been named locally as Karen McClean and Stacey Knell.

They were the mother and girlfriend of Ken Flanagan who's understood to have committed suicide after taking their lives. pic.twitter.com/DfrqSy1irQ

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 21, 2021

Northern Ireland’s Minister for Justice has desscribed the apparent double murder-suicide was an “absolute tragedy”.

Naomi Long said while she could not comment on the specific incident, it is a tragedy when violence is perpetrated against women.

Ms Long said it is “hugely important” to focus on issues surrounding domestic violence.

Ms Long said she plans to bring a paper to the Northern Ireland Executive in the coming days that would introduce a strategy to protect women and girls from violence.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that does not have a specific strategy.