Murder detectives photofit appeal

The funeral cortege makes its way to St Peter's Church

The murder of a 75-year-old woman has left a County Down community "suspended in disbelief", a priest has said.

Canon John Kearney told mourners at the funeral of Annie McCartan in Warrenpoint that her tragic death had "turned their world upside down".

Mrs McCartan was found beaten and stabbed to death at her Summer Hill home in Warrenpoint on 15 June.

Police have issued a photofit of a suspect in his early 30s, seen near her home shortly before she was killed.

Detectives issued the description as they staged a reconstruction of Mrs McCartan's last-known movements.

A woman wearing similar clothing to Mrs McCartan walked along the Summer Hill Road on Thursday afternoon.

DESCRIPTION OF SUSPECT 6'1"-6'2" tall, with athletic lean build Very short dirty fair hair, swept back at sides Strong jawline, pale complexion, light coloured oval eyes and thin dirty fair eyebrows Long narrow nose with a wide mouth and thin lips Wearing a t-shirt and jeans Possibly carrying a dark leather-type jacket over his arm

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Harkness said they would continue to treat the man as a suspect until they spoke to him and could eliminate him from their enquiries.

He said there was no sign of forced entry at Mrs McCartan's house.

"This was a warm summer's day and it is possible that Annie may have left the door of her home open, but that is just speculation at this stage," he said.

"Nothing at the scene indicates that this was a distraction burglary.

"At the moment our enquiries are continuing and I do not want to speculate any further at this stage of the investigation."

'Visibly shaken'

The mother of 13 was buried after Requiem Mass at St Peter's Church.

Canon Kearney told mourners: "For so many people in this church today, the death of Annie on this day week has turned their world upside down.

"We are shocked as individuals and we were visibly shaken as a community when we learned about the unexpected and tragic death of someone who lived among us and was known to so many."

He said Mrs McCartan was a loving mother and a good wife to her husband, James, who died in 1985 - five months after they moved to Warrenpoint following the sale of their small farm.

Annie McCartan had been celebrating her 75th birthday

"We do not want to believe or accept that a person who was known so well and loved so much is dead," he said.

"In a sense, we are paralysed. We are suspended in disbelief.

"Today there is a huge emptiness in our hearts because Annie has been taken from us."

The canon paid tribute to the dignity of the McCartan family following her murder and reminded them they had the support and sympathy of the entire parish.

Police patrols in the area have been stepped up in an attempt to reassure local people.