THE PSNI has failed in its efforts to have a court revoke the bail conditions of a suspect in a murder case.
Karen Walsh, a pharmacist with a Dublin business address, is accused of the murder of Maire Rankin (81).
Mrs Rankin’s body was found in her home in Newry, Co Down, last Christmas Day. She had suffered multiple injuries.
Ms Walsh denies the charge but admits she was in Mrs Rankin’s house on Christmas Eve as her family lives next door.
She was subsequently granted bail, and ordered to provide a £10,000 cash surety and another £50,000 in assets in Northern Ireland.
She was also directed to live in Dublin and to surrender her passport.
She was instructed not to visit Newry apart from when she was required to report to police.
The PSNI sought to have these terms revoked giving its concerns.
The district judge at Newry Court said he was not satisfied that the prosecution had proven its case and he ruled that Ms Walsh should be allowed remain on bail while awaiting trial for the murder.
The court’s decision not to revoke bail is to be appealed to the High Court later this week.
The late Mrs Rankin had a large extended family who are well-known and respected in Newry, Co Down
Her Requiem Mass was celebrated by 10 clergy led by the auxiliary bishop of Liverpool Tom Williams who is a family friend.