Northern Ireland

Police get extra time to quiz man arrested over Laura Marshall murder

Laura Marshall (31) was found dead in a flat in Lurgan on Sunday
Laura Marshall (31) was found dead in a flat in Lurgan on Sunday Laura Marshall (31) was found dead in a flat in Lurgan on Sunday

POLICE have been granted more time to question a 36-year-old man about the murder of a woman in Co Armagh.

The man, named locally as Gary O'Dowd, was arrested after the body of Laura Marshall was found in a flat in Lurgan on Sunday.

A PSNI spokesman said on Tuesday that detectives had been given an additional 36 hours by a court to question the man about Ms Marshall's murder.

It is understood the man, a nephew of Stormont education minister John O'Dowd, was a partner of the victim.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan, who confirmed police had been given more time to queestion the suspect, also appealed for anyone with information to contact police at Mahon Road on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The police officer also said he was keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard any activity at Laura’s home in Victoria Street over the weekend until Sunday evening at 5.30pm.

Ms Marshall, a 31-year-old dental nurse, was found dead in an apartment the couple shared on Victoria Street in the Co Armagh town.

After a post-mortem examination on Monday, the PSNI announced it had launched a murder investigation.

The young woman has been described as an "inspiration".

Friends have told of how Ms Marshall was a keen traveller and had spent time in Australia, United Stated and England.

Tributes have continued to pour in for Ms Marshall, who was a niece of Sam Marshall who was killed by loyalists shortly after leaving Lurgan police station with high-profile republican Colin Duffy in 1990.

In another message posted on Facebook, Dean Oxby wrote: "Struggling to come to terms of the pass of my beautiful sister Laura Marshall who was a very popular and outgoing inspirational woman who can always put a smile on your face.

"..you made many friends around the world where you have travelled on your journeys and they are sadly touched by the news of your death."