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Mother of Amy Doherty calls for justice at vigil

People attend a vigil for Amy Doherty at the Guildhall
Amy Doherty and other women killed in Northern Ireland were remembered at the vigil

Thousands of people have gathered in Derry for a vigil in memory of mother-of-two Amy Doherty.

People gathered at the Guildhall carrying flowers and purple balloons.

Amy's mother Sharon said, during an emotional address to the crowd, that her daughter had been "brutally taken from us and her babies".

"I don't want Amy and the other 29 women's murders to be in vain," she said as she thanked the large crowd in attendance at the vigil.

"All we want is justice for Amy."

Her family then released balloons into the sky in honour of Amy and other women who had been killed in Northern Ireland.

People attend a vigil for Amy Doherty at the Guildhall
Flowers were laid at the steps of Guildhall

Police launched a murder investigation after officers were called to a property in the Summer Meadows Mews area of Derry on Saturday and found 28-year-old Ms Doherty badly injured.

She was taken to hospital where she later died.

At her funeral yesterday, Ms Doherty was described as a "dedicated" care worker and a person with a "magnetic personality" who drew people to her.

Her death and other high-profile cases have prompted discussions on women's and girls' safety in Northern Ireland.

People attend a vigil for Amy Doherty at the Guildhall
Women are remembered as victims of domestic and gender-based violence

Earlier, a 30-year-old man appeared in court charged with murder.

There was no application for bail and he was remanded in custody until 23 April.