Man charged with murder of Lurgan woman (51)

A 51-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the murder of Anita Downey in Co Armagh.

The body of Ms Downey (51) was discovered in a house in the Toberhewny Hall area of Lurgan at around 2.50am on Friday.

The man charged with her murder is due to appear at Lisburn Magistrate’s Court today.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Detectives from PSNI Serious Crime Branch investigating the murder of 51-year-old Anita Downey in Lurgan on Friday, January 20, have charged a 51-year-old man with murder. As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the PPS (Public Prosecution Service).”

PSNI Detective Inspector David McGrory added: “Our enquiries into the murder of Anita are continuing and I would like to take this opportunity to ask the public for their assistance in locating a missing mobile phone which I believe has been missing somewhere in the Lurgan area since around 9pm on the evening of Thursday, January 19.

“I would ask anyone finding a phone anywhere in the Lurgan area to contact detectives at the incident room in Mahon Road station on 101.”

Tributes have been paid to Ms Downey following her tragic death last week.

DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said at the weekend: “My thoughts and prayers are very much with those involved.

“A family has been left bereaved with such a tragic loss.

“The police are treating this as a murder investigation and therefore I would encourage anyone who has any information to come forward to the PSNI.”