Murder investigation launched after death of woman in north Belfast

A photo taken from the opposite side of a road showing a parked police car outside a row of semi-detached, red brick houses in north Belfast. Three uniformed officers are standing with their backs to the camera. A red car is also parked blocking the driveway of the house. A cordon is placed along the bottom and mid-way up the driveway of the house.

Forensic teams were at the scene in north Belfast on Tuesday

A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a woman in north Belfast.

The deceased has been named by police as Marie Green.

The 71-year-old was pronounced dead at a property on the Shore Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in police custody.

Det Insp Jennifer Rea, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Major Investigation Team, said: "My thoughts are with Marie's family and loved ones who are left trying to come to terms with their tragic loss."

A cordon is in place at the front of the property on the Shore Road which is close to the junction with Donegall Park Avenue.

Police tape has also been placed across the driveway and the front steps of the property. Forensic officers are at the scene.

There is also a police cordon at the rear of the property.

North Belfast Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Phillip Brett said there is "massive shock and sadness" amongst the community following the incident, adding that it was "absolutely heartbreaking".

'Distressing'

Red brick semi-detached houses. A police cordon is in place at the drive on a house at the right hand side of the picture. In the foreground is a police car and three police officers are standing outside the cordon. There is also a red car in front of the house with the cordon.

Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister said it was a "horrifying incident".

"I want to express my deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim," she added.

"The local community is in immense shock, but I have no doubt they will come together to support the family during what will be such a distressing time.

'It really is tragic'

Michael Fitzpatrick, BBC News NI, at the scene

A neighbour, who did not want to give her name, said she was alerted to the incident by her son.

"It was about half twelve whenever my son came into my room to say there was police and ambulance outside the door," she told BBC News NI.

"The police were running about frantic, along with the paramedics, so I knew something bad had happened, especially when they cordoned off the bottom of the driveway.

"I just can't get my head around it - it really is tragic," she added.

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