Mary Ward: murder investigation being led by Republic

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that police in the Republic of Ireland are now leading the investigation into the murder of Mary Ward in Belfast.

It follows the arrest of a 26-year-old man in Dublin on Wednesday.

It is believed likely that if charged, he could stand trial in Ireland.

Ms Ward, 22, was found dead in her home at Melrose Street on 1 October with wounds to her neck.

In a short statement, the PSNI said An Garda Síochána (Irish police) have taken charge.

“The joint investigation into the death of Mary Ward will now be led by An Garda Síochána with continued support from the PSNI,” it continued.

Under Ireland’s Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976, a suspect can be charged and tried for offences allegedly committed in Northern Ireland.

Ms Ward died from a number of wounds to her neck, BBC News NI understands.

Her body was found by police officers who went to her house on Tuesday 1 October – but it is believed she was killed on or around 25 September.

The PSNI had been in contact with her on a number of occasions in the previous weeks.

This began on 4 September when she made a complaint to the police about being the victim of violence.

Providing details of the timeline of events, Ass Ch Cons Beck confirmed on Wednesday that police had a phone call with Ms Ward on 10 September.

He said officers attempted to speak to her on 24 September and spoke to her by phone on 25 September. This was the last contact police had with her.

Officers attended the property regarding an unrelated matter on 1 October, he said.

“That’s when we observed a female crouched over against the upstairs front window of that house and located Mary deceased unfortunately within the property,” Ass Ch Cons Beck said.

Police believe Ms Ward was last seen alive on 25 September.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ass Ch Cons David Beck said he was “absolutely appalled” that there had been another murder of a woman in Northern Ireland.

He said: “Too many women are losing their lives at the hands of men”.

Police confirmed on Tuesday that following a review of its previous engagements with Ms Ward the case had been referred to the ombudsman.

The Police Ombudsman’s Office said the focus of its investigation would be on the police response to a report of violence in the weeks leading up to her death.

It confirmed the case was referred to it by police on Sunday night.