Man charged over Katie Brankin Limavady murder

By Adam Kula
Published 14th Jul 2021, 20:36 BST
Forensic officers at the Swanns Bridge Glamping site near near LimavadyForensic officers at the Swanns Bridge Glamping site near near Limavady
Forensic officers at the Swanns Bridge Glamping site near near Limavady
Police have charged a man with the murder of Kathleen ‘Katie’ Brankin, who was stabbed to death in a popular tourist area in Co Londonderry.

Katie, 37 and from the Newtownabbey area, died in the incident near Limavady on Monday.

At about 3pm today, detectives said they had been given an additional 36 hours to question a 53-year-old man.

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Then, shortly after 8pm, the PSNI announced its Major Investigation Team had charged the 53-year-old with murder.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Kathleen Brankin who was stabbed to death at an outdoor accommodation site in Limavady. Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Kathleen Brankin who was stabbed to death at an outdoor accommodation site in Limavady. Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.
A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Kathleen Brankin who was stabbed to death at an outdoor accommodation site in Limavady. Picture: Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker.

He is due to appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court today via videolink.

Both Ms Brankin and the suspect were on holiday at an outdoor accommodation site on Seacoast Road at the time.

Police had earlier appealed for anyone with information, or who witnessed any suspicious activity, to contact the investigation team.

The community is said to have been stunned by the death.

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SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said: “This is such a beautiful, welcoming area.

“We welcome thousands of visitors every year and something like this happening is unheard of. My thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.

“This is a close-knit community, a farming community, and a lot of visitors come here. This is unheard of and shocking.”

As well as offering his condolences to her family, MP for the area Gregory Campbell said the scene of the crime at Swanns Bridge Glamping was a “very, very popular scenic tourist site”.

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“It is the main road between the north-west and the Causeway coastal road. Many, many tourists use this, and people on day trips,” he said.

Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald offered her “deepest condolences” to the woman’s family and friends.

“I’d encourage anyone with any information that can help the investigation to get in contact with the police,” she added.

More from this reporter:

CLICK HERE: Victim: If O’Neill opposes war, then Sinn Fein should condemn IRA terrorism

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CLICK HERE: Cleric hits back as LGBTQI+ activist denounces own church

CLICK HERE: NI hate crime reviewer: People should not be free to abuse Islam and Christianity

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