Funeral of murdered Newry woman

The funeral took place today of a pensioner found murdered in her home on Christmas Day.

Family and friends of 81-year-old Marie Rankin joined hundreds of mourners at her funeral near Newry.

The widow’s body was discovered in her home on the town’s Dublin Road by concerned relatives on Christmas morning after she failed to answer calls.

One of her neighbours has since been charged with her murder.

Forty-two-year-old Karen Walsh, who denies involvement, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court later this month.

Mourners packed St Mary of the Assumption Church in Dromalane for the hour-long service, which was led by the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool Tom Williams – a longstanding family friend.

Afterwards, local primary school children formed a guard of honour as Mrs Rankin’s coffin was carried outside.

Among those there to pay their respects was Sinn Féin Stormont minister Conor Murphy.