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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Chris Slater

Tributes to mum-of-five Caroline Finegan who died after city centre attack

Tributes have been paid to a mum-of-five who died after an attack on a night out in Manchester.

Caroline Finegan, 29, was discovered with serious head injuries near Shudehill bus exchange in the early hours of Thursday.

Police were called after reports a woman had been punched and she was rushed to hospital.

She was taken to Salford Royal but later died from her injuries.

Her fiancé Ryan Ingham, 26, has been now been charged with her murder.

The couple announced their engagement to relatives just a couple of weeks before Christmas and had been planning their wedding.

In a moving tribute to their adopted daughter, Caroline's foster parents have now said she was a popular woman and loving mother who will be greatly missed.

Caroline, from Stockport, had four daughters, aged 13, 10, 9 and 3 - and son aged 7.

Kath, 53, and Ken Gill, 66, took over care of Caroline when she was three years old along with her brother Peter, now 30.

And they said that the 'bubbly' mum had begun planning her wedding after getting engaged shortly before Christmas.

Kath said: "She was with us from when she was three so we were 'mum and dad' to her.

"She was very intelligent but also very sporty as a child and loved dancing.

"She also sang with the school choir.

"In later life she was a really loving mother and adored her children.

"She was just really, really popular and well loved.

"You can tell that by how many tributes there are to her on Facebook and the internet.

"She will be missed by so many people."

Caroline, who had three brothers and a sister, attended St Winifred's Primary School in Stockport before going onto St Anne's High School in Heaton Chapel.

Ken said after moving to Blackley in North Manchester she had got engaged before Christmas and had begun making plans for her wedding.

He said despite struggling with her health after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she was looking forward to the future.

Ken said: "Only a couple of days ago she was here and asked if Kath would help her look for wedding dresses.

"She was really happy and looking forward to the future.

"So to get the knock on the door at 4am saying she was in hospital on life support was just heartbreaking.

"It was horrible seeing her there.

"But we can't thank the hospital enough for how they cared for her and the police as well, they have been great."

Friends said Caroline enjoyed going out in Manchester and had been for a night out on Thursday evening.

One friend wrote on Facebook: “Can not believe that you are gone... RIP Hun fly high with the angels.”

Another said: “Such a shame, so many memories of such great times.”

Ryan Ingham, of Southdown Crescent in Blackley yesterday appeared at Manchester Magistrates' court and is due before Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

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