subject: Destination Newry News - Maire Rankin Murder: Case Nearing Conclusion [print this page] Belfast Crown Court heard closing speeches from Counsel on Monday 3rd October 2011 in relation to the murder of Maire Rankin. Mrs. Rankin was found dead in her home on Christmas morning 2008. The woman accused of her murder is her neighbour, pharmacist Karen Walsh.
Mr Liam McCollum QC gave an hour-long speech to the Jury consisting of five men and seven women. He stated that it was absolutely crystal clear that all the evidence points to her guilt. He suggested that she was either guilty of murdering Mrs. Rankin or that she must be the unluckiest person in the world that someone else carried out that attack but left so much incriminating evidence that pointed to her.
The Court has already heard that DNA evidence found on Mrs. Rankins body and the crucifix, which is alleged to have been used to beat Mrs. Rankin, was connected to Ms Walsh. The Defence however argued that there was no DNA evidence linking Ms Walsh to the items which had been strewn around Ms Rankins home. Ms Walsh has previously stated when giving evidence that she went to Mrs. Rankins home on Christmas Eve to wish her a happy Christmas, she hugged and kissed her, resulting in her DNA being on Mrs. Rankins body. She states that she drank some vodka that she had with her, that had been a present for another neighbour and left Mrs. Rankins home at 2.00am.
The Prosecution stated that the case against Ms Walsh was very strong and that each and every aspect of the evidence together with telephone evidence that someone had used Mrs. Rankins home telephone to call Ms Walshs husbands mobile phone and office numbers, points to Ms Walsh carrying out the attack. The Defence however suggested that it made no sense that Ms Walsh would telephone her husbands office in Dublin as she knew that he was next door in their home.
Defence Lawyer Peter Irvine advised the Jury that they must decide the case on the evidence that they had heard and not on any sympathy that they had for the family of Mrs. Rankin. He went on to state that whilst he agreed it was a circumstantial case, the Defence would say that when the strands of evidence were examined that the conclusion would be that Ms Walsh is not guilty and that the Crown has failed to prove the case beyond unreasonable doubt.
It is expected that the Jury will retire on Tuesday 4th October 2011 to consider their verdict.
