Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SEARCH FOR 2 MEN AFTER WOMAN’S SICKENING DEATH
Retired teacher died at home after car theft
POLICE are probing a link between two burglaries and a “sickening” incident that led to the death of a retired teacher.
PSNI officers visited May Steven’s home in Lismoyne Park, North Belfast, after her car failed to stop on the North Circular Road in the early hours of Sunday.
The 64-year-old was found unconscious inside and it was later discovered the vehicle had been stolen.
Paramedics were called to the scene, but couldn’t save the mum of two.
Serious Crime Branch DCI Peter Montgomery said: “Her car was stolen between 1.30am and 2am on Sunday before it was found abandoned in Glenbank Place at around 6.45am. I am keen to trace the movements of the car, a red Hyundai I30, bearing registration plates NRZ 3370, in North Belfast between 1.30am and 6.45am. The vehicle has damage to its nearside. “I would also like to speak to anyone who has information about two men seen walking away from the car after it was abandoned in Glenbank Place in the direction of the Crumlin Road. I am TRAGIC football star Liam Miller was remembered as a “family man” as hundreds of mourners attended his funeral yesterday.
Leading names from the sport also paid their respects to the midfielder, who died from cancer on Friday aged just 36.
Among those at St John the Baptist Church in the village of Ovens, near Ballincollig, Co Cork, were Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’neill and assistant Roy Keane.
They were joined by former internationals John O’shea, Denis Irwin, Kevin Kilbane and Kevin Doyle, as well as past managers Brian Kerr and Steve Staunton.
After the rousing words of football investigating a possible link to two other attempted burglaries in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning – one of which was also in Lismoyne Park.”
The officer added he understood the “shock and devastation felt in the community following this sickening incident”.
Mrs Stevens taught maths at both the Boys’ Model and Newtownabbey Regional College.
She was last seen alive in her house late on Saturday evening and investigating anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone were read to the congregation, Miller’s brotherin-law Dan Sheedy gave a hugely emotional eulogy.
He said: “To those who knew Liam best, his legacy won’t be about anything he achieved on a pitch, though, on that, he achieved what was to most of us an impossible fantasy.
“Liam was that most rare of things lived his dreams.
“He dreamed playing for [his father] Billy’s of – he officers are awaiting the results of a postmortem.
DCI Montgomery said: “May touched the lives of many people living in this community as she was a long-standing public servant.
“This incident has left the Stevens’ family mourning the loss of a wife, mother and sister. Mrs Stevens was looking forward to becoming a grandmother.
“We take the issue of crime against older people extremely seriously and remain committed to putting those responsible before the courts.
“I am appealing for anyone who has any information to contact detectives in Musgrave Street on 101 ext 17019.
“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.” beloved Celtic. And he did. He dreamed of playing for Man United. And he did. And he dreamed of playing for Ireland. And he did.
Mourners heard how he was utterly in love with his wife Claire and gave every fibre of his being to his children’s happiness. Mr Sheehy added: “There was never a father like Liam.”
He is survived by wife Clare and his children Kory, Leo and Belle.
The star, who died from oesophageal cancer, was buried in the cemetery next to the church.