Ballymena vigil honours Chloe Mitchell: Local MLA praises support as community rallies around family

A community standing and walking together in memory of Chloe Mitchell and in solidarity with the Mitchell and McDowell families.

A moving vigil in Ballymena has brought a community together once again to honour the memory of Chloe Mitchell and show solidarity with her family ahead of the continuation of court proceedings later this week.

The gathering, held in the Harryville area on Sunday 8 March, coincided with International Women’s Day and drew members of the local community together in remembrance of the 21-year-old and in support of the Mitchell and McDowell families.

North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland, who was invited by the family to speak at the event, paid tribute to the compassion and unity shown by people across Harryville and the wider Ballymena area since Chloe’s death in June 2023.

Standing together: Scenes of family, friendship and community support in Harryville on Sunday afternoon.

Ms Mulholland said the community response had been a vital source of comfort for the family during an extraordinarily difficult time.

“In the face of unimaginable loss, the Mitchell and McDowell families have shown extraordinary strength, courage and dignity. But they have not been alone - the people of Harryville have become an army of support around them, standing shoulder to shoulder with the family as they seek justice for Chloe,” she said.

The vigil also carried wider significance as it took place on International Women’s Day — a moment globally recognised for celebrating the achievements of women and girls, but also reflecting on ongoing issues affecting their safety.

“Too many women are remembered at vigils like this, and Chloe should never have been one of them,” Ms Mulholland said.

Nadine Mitchell speaking at Sunday’s event in memory of sister Chloe Mitchell, supported by North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland

Alliance’s North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland speaking at Sunday’s community event in the Harryville area of Ballymena

As the legal process continues, the MLA said the show of solidarity from the community demonstrates that the family will continue to be supported as they pursue justice.

“Today showed once again that the Mitchell family are not facing this alone. The people of Harryville and the wider community are standing with them, and will continue to stand with them as they seek justice for Chloe.”

The vigil was organised by the Mitchell and McDowell families with support from the local Harryville community.

Since Chloe Mitchell’s death in 2023, Ms Mulholland has been working closely with the families, helping to ensure the case received timely attention and supporting them throughout the court process.

Remembering Chloe Mitchell

Her work has also included facilitating discussions between the Criminal Bar Association and the Mitchell family to allow an exemption to be put in place permitting the trial to proceed amid the CBA strike.

With court proceedings due to resume later this week, Sunday’s vigil served as both a moment of remembrance and a visible reminder of the community support surrounding the family as the case moves forward.

At a glance

• A vigil for Chloe Mitchell was held in the Harryville area of Ballymena on Sunday 8 March.

• The event coincided with International Women’s Day and was organised by the Mitchell and McDowell families with support from the local community.

• North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland spoke at the vigil after being invited by the family.

• She praised the strength of Chloe’s family and the support shown by the Harryville and wider Ballymena community.

• Court proceedings connected to the case are due to resume later this week.

• Ms Mulholland has been supporting the family since 2023, including helping facilitate discussions that allowed the trial to proceed during the Criminal Bar Association strike.