Convicted killer Karen Walsh has lodged an appeal against last month’s conviction for murdering Newry grandmother Maire Rankin. At last month’s court appearance Walsh was told she would serve a minimum sentence of 20 years behind bars after the jury unanimously found her guilty of the Christmas morning murder in 2008. Walsh, a legal-aid recipient, has been protesting her innocence since her arrest three years ago.
The murder of mother-of-eight Mrs Rankin three years ago shocked and angered the Northern Ireland community after the court heard how Walsh drank a litre bottle of vodka in Mrs Rankin’s house before physically and sexually assaulting the pensioner with a crucifix. An appeal date has not been set yet.



