Woman (29) due in Belfast court charged with Girvan murder

Mr Girvan, 67, was found in a chair with his hands bound at his Station Road home. He had been stabbed in the chest.

The female suspect in due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning (January 22).

Police have said that a 23-year-old man held in relation to the suspicious death was released unconditionally on Wednesday night.

The results of a post mortem examination have not yet been released.

Mr Girvan was a separated father of two. He was an antiques enthusiast and had many valuable items in his house, however nothing of note was stolen during the incident.

A silver Hyundai Sonata car belonging to Mr Girvan had been taken from outside his house and was later recovered by police around 10 miles away on Verner Street in Belfast city centre.

Police said it has been seen leaving Greenisland around 7.30am on Monday being “driven dangerously”.

The officer leading the investigation, DCI John McVea, said: “This has been a horrific crime and sympathies go out to the family of Mr Girvan.”