Community gathers for vigil after Ballymena tragedy
A vigil is to take place in remembrance of the victims of an attack in Ballymena that saw three people killed, including an eight-year-old girl.
The PSNI has said the three were from the same family, and were a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and the young girl.
The adults are believed to have originally been from Poland.
Police investigators’ “strong hypothesis” is that the incident was a double murder followed by a sudden death.
Flowers were left at the house by neighbours, as the community is left in shock after the three bodies were discovered at the property in the Old Cullybackey Road area on Monday.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was “deeply saddened to hear the news of the terrible tragedy”.
He posted on X: “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the local community at this very difficult time.
“I urge anyone with any information at all to contact the PSNI.”
The vigil is to take place on Wednesday evening outside The Braid Arts Centre in the centre of Ballymena.
The organisers of the event, Youth Ambassadors Northern Ireland, wrote in a social media post that was also translated into Polish: “In light of the recent tragedy in Ballymena we invite all members of our community both near and far to join us for a moment of quiet reflection, light and unity.
“We stand with all those affected, especially the local Polish community, during this difficult time.”