Gardai in Co Monaghan have appealed for help from the public following the murder of 68-year-old Philomena Lyons in Ballybay on Saturday.

A vicious sex attacker who strangled a nun in the grounds of her convent could strike again, gardai warned today.

A murder hunt was underway today after a nun was sexually assaulted and strangled in the grounds of her Co Monaghan convent.

A nun was sexually assaulted and strangled in the grounds of her convent just hours before she was due at a friend’s 100th birthday celebrations, it emerged tonight.

Gardai investigating the murder of a nun in Co Monaghan have said the woman was sexually assaulted and strangled.