TWO PEOPLE were still being questioned last night in connection with the brutal Christmas murder of an elderly woman in her Northern Ireland home.
A man aged 39 and a 42-year-old woman were arrested within hours of a murder hunt being launched after a post-mortem confirmed that the death of pensioner Maire Rankin in Newry, Co Down, was not an accident.
The 81-year-old widow was found dead in her home on Christmas morning. She had died from multiple injuries, police said. The suspects were arrested close to the scene and it is understood they knew Mrs Rankin but were not related to her.
Relatives raised the alarm after finding her dead on Christmas morning and told police they had gone to the house after becoming concerned when she had not answered her phone when they rang to wish her a happy Christmas.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said there was no sign of forced entry to the house, on the Dublin Road, and dismissed earlier suspicions that Mrs Rankin died as a result of a bungled robbery.
They said nothing appeared to have been taken from the house.
A team of forensic officers has carried out a detailed examination of the property. Det Chief Insp Gareth Talbot, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This is a particularly dreadful crime, coming as it did on Christmas Day.
"Investigations are in an early stage. However, I would appeal to the public, particularly residents in the neighbourhood, that if they noticed any activity in the area over night from shortly after 10pm on Christmas Eve to contact us."