Guilty Granny Killer 'Pleads Innocence'

A pharmacist-turned drunken killer had continued to deny the brutal murder of an elderly grandmother in her own home on Christmas Day 2008.

As she was led away to the cells yesterday afternoon, Karen Walsh, 45, continued to plead her innocence on the murder of neighbour Maire Rankin, 81, in her Newry home.

Mrs Rankin was found dead in her bedroom. She had been severely beaten and sexually assaulted.

Belfast's Crown Court had heard that the marks of the crown of thorns from the family crucifix were found on Mrs Rankin's chin as the ferocity of the assault was so severe that the Christ figure was broken off the crucifix.

The jury heard that Walsh then carried out the sexual assault in an effort to cover her tracks, but despite her innocent plea, Mr Justice Tony Hart told Walsh that she had carried out a brutal attack on an elderly and completely defenceless woman and found her guilty.

Sentence is being delayed until probation reports and victim impact statements have been lodged with the court, and a plea in mitigation is also expected on 28 October.

PSNI Detective Inspector John Caldwell said afterwards that the police welcome the decision reached by the jury in this case.

"Our thoughts are firstly with Maire Rankin's family who suffered the loss of a mother and a grandmother almost three years ago on Christmas Day and still haven't been told why," he said, outside the court.

"They have been deprived of Maire's love and her company because of the drunken and depraved actions of someone she trusted as her neighbour.

"Maire Rankin was one of the most respected yet, at 81, also one of the most vulnerable members of our society and she deserved to live in safety within the sanctuary of her own home.

"For the past three years Karen Walsh has lied. Now a jury has seen through those lies and convicted her of murder," he said.

"Detectives from Serious Crime Branch built a compelling case against the defendant.

"We worked with the community, with colleagues in Forensic Science NI, the Public Prosecution Service and other disciplines to disprove Karen Walsh's version of events," the detective continued.

"The Rankin family have endured unnecessary suffering over the past three years.

"The verdict cannot bring Maire back but we hope it will provide some small form of comfort and closure to them as they try to rebuild their lives without their beloved mother and grandmother."

(BMcC/GK)