Killer Karen Walsh fails to have conviction overturned

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33269846

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A pharmacist jailed for murdering her elderly neighbour has failed to have her conviction overturned.

Karen Walsh, who denied killing Maire Rankin, was found guilty in 2011.

The 81-year-old was found dead at her Dublin Road home in Newry, County Down, on Christmas Day 2008. She suffered up to 15 broken ribs and was beaten with a crucifix.

Senior judges on Thursday rejected all grounds of appeal mounted by Karen Walsh

Claims that the jury was misdirected on DNA evidence, the time of death, the intention of whoever carried out the attack and Walsh's level of intoxication were dismissed.

Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan confirmed: "We have no sense of unease about the safety of this conviction."

Walsh, 48, is currently serving a minimum 20-year prison sentence for carrying out the attack.

The tariff was one of the longest ever handed down to a woman in Northern Ireland.