Ex jailed over fatal stabbing of Longford woman in New York

A New York court has sentenced a man to 24 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of his former girlfriend, Longford woman Sarah McNally, in March of last year.

The attack occurred at The Ceili House, an Irish bar in the Queens neighbourhood of Maspeth where Ms McNally (41), had been working.

On March 30, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Ms McNally's ex boyfriend Marcin Pieciak (37) entered the premises, approached Ms McNally behind the bar, and stabbed her 19 times in the neck, back, and chest.

The injuries severed her spine and fatally damaged her carotid artery.

Pieciak then cut his own throat several times with a second knife and attempted to run from the bar.

When police arrived, Pieciak exited the premises with two knives and brandished the weapons before being safely disarmed.

Ms McNally had been living in New York for about 10 years at the time of her death.

Pieciak of 76th Street in Glendale, pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter in the first degree.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant sentenced him to 24 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Following sentencing, Queens District Attorney Katz said: “Marcin Pieciak mercilessly stabbed his girlfriend 19 times at her place of work. This violent and unprovoked attack took Sarah McNally’s life and left her family, friends and colleagues devastated on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

He added: "We hope that today’s sentence provides some measure of comfort as Ms McNally’s loved ones continue to grieve her senseless loss.”