Two people were tonight being questioned about the brutal Christmas murder of an elderly woman in her Newry 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 examination confirmed the death of pensioner Máire Rankin in Newry, Co Down was not an accident.
The 81-year-old widow was found dead in her home on the morning of Christmas Day. She had died from multiple injuries, said the PSNI.
The suspects were arrested close to the scene of the murder 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. They 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 merry Christmas.
The PSNI said there was no sign of forced entry to the house on the Dublin Road and dismissed earlier suspicions 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.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Talbot, who is leading the murder hunt, 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.”
Local councillor Jack Patterson said the entire community was stunned by the death.
He said: “She was a lovely lady. The whole family is very nice, she was a very gentle lady and did a lot of charity work. She was well liked by the whole community.”
Mr Patterson added: “I was down at the house earlier and it is terrible to see the Christmas tree through the window. I know the family. Máire was married to Gerry Rankin, a well-respected member of the community, but he died about 10 years ago.
“They had two children, a son and a daughter, who still live in Newry.”