Murder victim Anne O’Neill who was attacked in her south Belfast home

DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team continue to quiz two men over the murder of Anne O’Neill.

She was attacked in her Ardmore Avenue home in the Finaghy area of Belfast on Saturday morning.

But despite paramedics rushing to the scene to tend to her injuries the 51-year-old tragically died.

Police received a report of a woman in distress in Ardmore Avenue at around 7am.

Detective Chief Inspector Geoffrey Boyce said: “I am appealing for anyone who resides in the Ardmore Avenue and Ardmore Park area of Finaghy and who have CCTV installed at their address to contact detectives at Musgrave Police Station on 101 quoting reference 338 21/10/17.”

He added: “Police responded and a woman was discovered injured in the rear garden of a property in the area.

“Despite attempts by emergency services at the scene the woman died from her injuries.”

Police say two men – aged 23 and 27 – who were arrested at an address in south Belfast a short time later on suspicion of murder, remain in police custody.

Detectives from Serious Crime Branch were at the scene on Saturday.

The area has been cordoned off with police using sniffer dogs to conduct searches. 

Sinn Fein MLA Mairtin O Muilleoir, who was at the scene on Saturday morning, said residents heard screams break the morning silence.

“People in the neighbourhood are very distressed,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

“This is one of those quiet cul-de-sac areas of Belfast many don’t know exist because it’s out of the way. But there are well-established families in the area with strong ties.”

He added: “This is clearly a very live investigation by the police, there is a lot of activity and I would urge anyone with information to act and contact the police. Don’t wait as the sooner the police have the information the better for their investigation.”

Police have appealed for anyone who was in the Ardmore Avenue area of Finaghy on Friday night or early on Saturday morning and who witnessed any suspicious activity or any vehicles driving in the area to contact detectives at Musgrave Police Station.