Antrim mum killed saving daughter from Christmas attack

Grieving daughter paid tribute to the mother who died to save her from a knife wielding thug, in Lisburn

On Christmas Day 21-year-old Charlotte Reat was stabbed at a house in Lisburn, County Antrim. Her 43-year-old Mum, Jayne Toal Reat, intervened and was stabbed herself. The emergency services were called around 6am but despite efforts to keep her alive through CPR, she passed away at the scene.

Reat and another man who sustained injuries were taken away for treatment at a local hospital.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder and two accounts of attempted murder. He remains in police custody and will appear before Craigavon Court on Friday, Dec 29.

#News| Mother stabbed to death on Christmas Day hailed as a hero by daughter for saving her life from the attacker ... pic.twitter.com/1UoXySYTEk
— European News (@Euro_Newsweek) December 28, 2017

In an emotional statement posted on Facebook, since liked more than 13,000 times, Charlotte wrote:

“I just want to thank everyone for all the kind messages and posts. I’m not in the frame of mind to reply to anyone nor am I fit to be writing this status.

“Today will be a day I will never forget as my Mum was murdered in front of my eyes and then later died in my arms. I can still feel her in my arms and hear her screams of pain and see the panic on her face.

“My Mum died saving me, I was stabbed twice in the head once in my face and once to the back of my neck. I am with family and have to identify my beautiful mother’s body tomorrow which is not something I ever expected to be doing.

"Jayne Toal Reat you died saving my life and I just wish I could trade places with you. you’re my hero forever and always and I’ll never forget you and I promise I will get you justice! That scum won’t get away with this if it’s the last thing I do!

“I LOVE YOU MY BEAUTIFUL MUMMY FOREVER AND ALWAYS 25/12/2017”

John Creaney, who works as a trade union representative at the hospital where Jayne worked as a nurse, told the Belfast Newsletter that she had “lived life to the full and was full of laughter and fun”.

Local Alliance party councillor, Amanda Grehan, told the Irish News, “My thoughts are with the loved ones of the victim. Christmas Day is one most people spend with their families and is full of joyous moments. However, now we have one family plunged into grief and despair”.

Mornington, Lisburn where it’s understood a woman has been murdered. Police have arrested a 19-year-old man. @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/c7S1Zl02k7
— Richard Morgan (@Journo_Rich) December 25, 2017

In a separate incident a man has been arrested after the body of a 16 year old Conor Robb was found dead at home in Castlewellan, Co Down on Christmas Eve.

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said, "An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail pending further enquiries".