Gardai investigate if Killarney grandmother was target…

Gardai investigate if Killarney grandmother was target of threats before brutal death as new details emerge

Gardai investigating the murder of 75-year-old Miriam Burns at her home in Killarney, Co Kerry, on Monday are now looking into whether the mum-of-four could have been the target of several threats before her death.

Forensic officers have been searching land near an old Killarney wishing well after a man in his 50s was arrested in connection with the killing, according to the Irish Independent.

Officers and detectives were seen conducting a detailed search in the area on Wednesday morning.

A second site near Ross Castle was also searched.

One source indicated to the Irish Independent that the object of the search was to recover clothing and material that could be connected to the murder investigation.

Gardai believe Ms Burns was fatally assaulted between last Friday and last Monday and may have been lying dead in her home for some time before her body was found on Monday afternoon.

The discovery was made after neighbours called to the house after one of Ms Burns's children living abroad grew concerned that they could not make contact with her.

Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the scene in the Ardshanavooly estate on Monday afternoon.

The pensioner was pronounced dead a short time later. It is believed she may have been dead for some time.

It is understood she sustained head and neck injuries and was found to have dried blood surrounding those areas.

Local sources told the Irish Independent that Ms Burns had not been seen since last Friday evening.

Gardai now fear the grandmother suffered a violent death at the hands of someone known to her.

They are also investigating whether Mrs Burns was the target of threatening behaviour some time ago and whether that could be linked to the circumstances of her death.

A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder just one hour after the murder investigation was confirmed by gardai following post-mortem results.

The man, who was detained in the south Kerry area, was taken to Killarney garda station, where he was held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He was questioned throughout yesterday.

Gardaí reportedly brought the man to both Killarney sites being searched yesterday.

His period of detention is set to expire today, when which gardaí must decide whether to charge or release him.