An Irish bartender, Sarah McNally, was murdered by her boyfriend, Marcin Pieciak, who allegedly stabbed her in the neck at the Céilí House in Queens during her shift just after happy hour. Pieciak was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the incident. Witnesses recounted the horrifying attack, which left McNally dead and Pieciak critically injured from self-inflicted knife wounds to his neck and back. Police used stun guns on Pieciak when he refused to drop the weapons, and it is unclear what led to the domestic incident.
The couple had been living together for several months before the violent altercation at the bar, where McNally had worked for just a year. McNally’s mother, Dorrie O’Connor, expressed shock and devastation over her daughter’s murder, stating simply, “My daughter was murdered – there is nothing else to say.” Pub patrons who knew the couple described them as always being together and enjoying spending time at the Maspeth watering hole. The stabbing of McNally marked the second death of an Irish woman in Queens in the last six months, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic violence.
Denise Morgan, another Irish woman, was shot dead by her former partner in October, and a man was shot outside the Maspeth pub in a separate incident in 2022. McNally, described as a “sweet, innocent girl from Longford” by bar regulars, had previously worked as a corrections officer in Ireland before moving to the United States. The tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning the loss of a beloved member of the neighborhood. Despite efforts to combat issues such as drug dealers and users in the area, the violence has continued to escalate.
The stabbing of McNally at the bar has left patrons and residents reeling as they struggle to come to terms with the senseless act of violence. Friends and acquaintances described McNally as a kind and helpful individual who was well-liked by those who knew her. The brutal attack has underscored the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for awareness and prevention efforts to address such issues in the community. The Queens District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the case, leaving many questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding McNally’s tragic death.
The attack on McNally serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by victims of domestic violence and the devastating consequences that can result from such incidents. As the community mourns the loss of a beloved bartender and friend, they grapple with the unsettling reality of violence in their midst. The chilling details of the attack, including the alleged use of knives by Pieciak and his subsequent arrest, serve as a sobering reminder of the need to address and prevent such acts of violence in order to protect the safety and well-being of all individuals. The memory of McNally will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, as they seek to honor her legacy and work towards a future free from the scourge of domestic violence.
