PSNI granted more time to question Newry suspects

Detectives investigating the murder of an 81-year-old woman at her home in Newry on Christmas Day have been granted more time to question two people arrested over the weekend.

The 39-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were detained in the Newry area on Saturday.

They are being questioned about the death of Maire Rankin, who was found with multiple injuries at her home on the Dublin Road in Newry.

There was no sign of forced entry to the house and the PSNI has dismissed suspicions that Ms Rankin may have died during a bungled robbery.

The two suspects, who had their period of detention extended by 36 hours last night, were known to the dead woman, but are not related to her.