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Pensioner's death is 'suspicious' Pensioner murder inquiry launched
(about 21 hours later)
Police have confirmed they are treating the death of an 81-year-old woman at her home in Newry as suspicious. Police have confirmed they are treating the death of an 81-year-old woman at her home in Newry as murder.
Officers were called to Maire Rankin's Dublin Road home by relatives, who became concerned when she failed to answer phone calls on Christmas Day.Officers were called to Maire Rankin's Dublin Road home by relatives, who became concerned when she failed to answer phone calls on Christmas Day.
The pensioner was last seen on Christmas Eve. A post mortem examination is to be carried out on Boxing Day. The pensioner was last seen on Christmas Eve. Police said a post mortem examination was now complete.
"Maire and her family are pillars of society," said the SDLP's John McArdle. Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Talbot described Mrs Rankin's murder as a "particularly dreadful crime".
"They're the height of decency and have lived a long time on the Dublin Road. He said investigations were at an early stage and appealed for information from the public about the murder.
"You wouldn't get any better and the shock waves are reverberating through the community."
Sinn Féin MLA Mickey Brady said: "The family is in a deep state of shock.
"Hopefully the police will be able to establish the cause of death as soon as possible."