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20/05/2011
DNA Evidence Catches Rogue RUC Inspector
A Northern court has heard how a former police inspector was caught and successfully prosecuted for murder after advances in forensic science meant investigating officers were able to match his DNA with that found under the fingernails of the dead pensioner.
Annabella Symington was found dead at her south Belfast home and now, Kenneth Mark McConnell, 59, from Prospect Downs, Carrickfergus, who was a gambling addict, has been jailed for 18 years after he killed Annabella Symington in 1989.
Mrs Symington, a widow living on her own in Willesden Park in south Belfast, was found dead on her dining room floor.
McConnell eventually admitted that through having an affair with her niece Margaret Fleming, he had discovered that she was rich and had gone to her house to beg for money to cover gambling debts.
However, the pensioner told him he was being "impertinent" by asking for cash and a struggle ensued, during which McConnell stuffed her cardigan sleeve into her mouth to stop her from screaming and it was this which suffocated her.
Mr Justice Hart said it had been a "brutal murder of an elderly lady who had quite properly refused to provide him with the means to continue to fund his addiction".
(BMcC)
Annabella Symington was found dead at her south Belfast home and now, Kenneth Mark McConnell, 59, from Prospect Downs, Carrickfergus, who was a gambling addict, has been jailed for 18 years after he killed Annabella Symington in 1989.
Mrs Symington, a widow living on her own in Willesden Park in south Belfast, was found dead on her dining room floor.
McConnell eventually admitted that through having an affair with her niece Margaret Fleming, he had discovered that she was rich and had gone to her house to beg for money to cover gambling debts.
However, the pensioner told him he was being "impertinent" by asking for cash and a struggle ensued, during which McConnell stuffed her cardigan sleeve into her mouth to stop her from screaming and it was this which suffocated her.
Mr Justice Hart said it had been a "brutal murder of an elderly lady who had quite properly refused to provide him with the means to continue to fund his addiction".
(BMcC)
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Murder Investigation Underway After Body Found In Field
A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a man’s body in Tallaght, Dublin on Saturday night. RTÉ have reported that the body of a 37-year-old man was found in a field near Killanarden Hill around 21:00. A post mortem carried out on Sunday afternoon confirmed that the victim had been shot in the head.
Murder Investigation Underway After Body Found In Field
A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a man’s body in Tallaght, Dublin on Saturday night. RTÉ have reported that the body of a 37-year-old man was found in a field near Killanarden Hill around 21:00. A post mortem carried out on Sunday afternoon confirmed that the victim had been shot in the head.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Becoming dry and sunny along the east coast in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Showers gradually die out to leave good clear spells in the evening and overnight. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
