Robbery motive for farmer murder

Detectives investigating the murder of dairy farmer Victor Stewart have said they now believe robbery was the motive behind the attack.

Mr Stewart, 45, was found at his house on the Creevekeeran Road in Middletown on Wednesday.

Police have said he suffered a violent death and believe he was killed shortly after 2100 BST on Monday 20 October.

They have said it is "imperative" they retrace his movements on the days before his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Harkness said Mr Stewart was killed shortly after he had eaten his tea.

"It was a savage attack in the living room of his home," he said.

A link with the killing of 62-year-old widow Eileen Corrigan earlier this month in Armagh city has not been ruled out by police.

"It's one line of inquiry but there are no obvious links between the two murders," said DCI Harkness.

"These are being treated as separate murder inquiries."

DCI Harkness appealed for anyone who can help their inquiry to contact police 028 37 517390.

"We would like to speak to anyone who saw Mr Stewart from Sunday of this week until his body was found on Wednesday at about 1130 BST," he said.