A Galway born businesswoman has gone on trial accused of murdering a Co Down pensioner at Christmas three years ago.
The court heard the elderly woman had been sexually assaulted after she was killed in the bedroom of her home.
Maura Rankin - who was 81 and suffered from a heart condition - was found murdered in the bedroom of her home at Dublin Road in Newry on Christmas morning 2008.
She had been severely assaulted and suffered serious head injuries and broken ribs.
The prosecution say a crucifix which hung above the elderly woman’s bed had been used to hit her in the face.
It was also claimed that a sexual assault was carried out on Mrs Walsh after she was dead.
45-year-old Karen Walsh - a pharmacist originally from Galway who had business interests in Dublin - denies murdering Mrs Rankin.
Ms Walsh - who lived next door to the pensioner at the time of murder - admitted going to her neighbour’s home with a bottle of vodka and a Christmas card but says she left after half-an-hour when Mrs Rankin was in bed.
The trial is expected to last several weeks.
