THE BODIES of Marion Graham and Kathy Dinsmore, who were murdered a week ago in Turkey, were yesterday returned to their homes in Co Down.
Their remains were flown into Dublin airport from Turkey yesterday after they were released from a mortuary in Izmir, close to where they had been stabbed to death.
Two hearses were given a Garda escort from the airport to the Border, and from there a PSNI escort. Family and friends of the women also travelled in cars behind the hearses.
The funerals of the two women will take place tomorrow.
Ms Graham’s funeral will take place in Newry tomorrow morning. Ms Dinsmore’s funeral will be in the afternoon in Warrenpoint, so their friends and relations can attend both services.
Ms Graham’s 15-year-old daughter, Shannon, flew home from Turkey accompanied by her father, Raymond McGuinness, on Monday.
Her boyfriend at the time of the killings, Recep Cetin, is suspected of murdering the women because he was refused permission to marry Shannon.
It is believed he took the women on a trip from the resort of Kusadasi to a wooded area near Izmir where he allegedly stabbed them to death. Cetin, who worked as a waiter in Kusadasi, about 120km (75 miles) from Izmir, has reportedly confessed to the murders.
Shannon’s school, St Mary’s in Newry, said staff and pupils were “deeply saddened” by the deaths.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Shannon during this very difficult time,” the school said in a statement.
“As a school community we will ensure all the support is available to both Shannon and her peers as they begin a new academic year,” the statement added.
