Stacey Knell's ex-partner reported concerns to PSNI hours before she and Karen McClean were murdered

Ms Knell and her ex-partner, Sam Lillie, had a nine year-old daughter together.

Mr. Lillie said such was his worry about Ms. Knell's current partner, Kenneth Flanagan, that he reported his concerns to both social services and the PSNI before the murders occurred.

The PSNI believe Flanagan (26) murdered his mother, Karen McClean, (50) in Newtownabbey before murdering his girlfriend Stacey Knell (30) in a property in the Glenville Road area - Flanagan then took his own life.

"I am concerned at the plea and the concern raised by the nine year-old's father in relation to the concerns he had for his daughter and I think that needs to be investigated," said Sinn Fein MLA, Carál Ní Chuilín in the Assembly on Monday morning.

"Karen and Stacey lost their lives as a result of murder in their own homes.

"We can only imagine the terror and thoughts that were going through their heads.

"Two families bereaved and a nine year-old girl really bereaved in the middle of all this and trying to understand what has happened.

"Anyone watching this will want to know that we are doing our best to make sure Karen and Stacey are the last women we will have to talk about in this Assembly to die at the hand of a man in their own homes," added the former Minister for Communities.

The PSNI has confirmed receiving a report concerning the safety of a child on Friday March 19.

"Following review, there was no evidence of immediate concern for the child's safety and the caller was provided with advice in respect of the matter," responded the PSNI.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell described the double murder as "really shocking and horrific".

“Just after 10.55pm on Friday evening, police received a report of a stabbing at a residential property in the Derrycoole Way area," confirmed DCI Caldwell.

"Officers attended, along with colleagues from NIAS and sadly, a woman was pronounced dead.

"Officers then attended a residential property in the Glenville Road area where a second woman was found dead.

"An unconscious man was also found inside the property who subsequently died. He was 26 year old Kenneth Flanagan."

DCI Caldwell continued: “I am not looking for anyone else in connection with the murders which I believe are connected.

"We would urge anyone with any information which may assist our investigation to contact 101 and quote reference number 2441 of 19/03/21.

"A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."

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