Garda∅ last night warned the public to be vigilant as the hunt continued for the killer of Sister Philomena Lyons.
Detectives now think her attacker may have tried to hitch-hike out of Ballybay, Co Monaghan, after he sexually assaulted and strangled the 68-year-old nun in the grounds of St Joseph's Convent last Saturday morning.
They are appealing to anyone who spotted a man walking on the main road out of Ballybay or attempting to hitch to contact them. They also want to hear from taxi firms who may have taken calls from anyone seeking to leave the area in a hurry.
Garda∅ renewed their appeal for information that might help them to track down the killer. "Something might be trivial but it could be a piece of the puzzle," said Supt Tom Long, who is leading the investigation.
"What people must remember is that the murderer is still out there. This was a brutal assault on a vulnerable woman. For their own safety, people should be vigilant and give us any information they have."
The number of garda∅ assigned to the case rose to over 70 yesterday, as detectives began distilling down the mountain of information gathered so far. A phone kiosk in the town centre was removed and taken to the forensic science lab in Dublin. A house close to the murder scene where a burglar alarm was activated early on Saturday morning remained under technical examination.
All day a steady stream of local people called to St Joseph's to express sympathy with Sister Philomena's colleagues, while children came to pray beside flowers marking the spot where she was last seen alive.
Among the visitors was the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Seβn Brady, who said he had come to express the sympathy of the whole island. He said after meeting the sisters that they were "devastated" by their loss.
The parish priest, Mgr Gerard McSorley, who paid several visits to the convent, said he was concerned to dispel any guilt the sisters might have over Sister Philomena's death.
"I think they accept that they couldn't have done anything. Sister Philomena was wrapped up for the cold and Sister Aloysius, who helped her out to the bus stop with her bags, wasn't. It was the most natural thing in the world for Sister Philomena to say, 'Go on inside. Don't be standing out in the cold. I'm fine.' She was 50 yards from the convent door. How could anyone think anything could happen to her?"
Local publican Ms Margaret Rice, who was among the first visitors to call on the sisters yesterday morning, said Sister Philomena's death was like losing a family member.
"Six of my seven children were born up there when they had the nursing home for mothers. The nuns are part of our family. They've always supported the community here and now it's our turn to support them."
Another visitor, Mrs Anna Lennon, was one of the first pupils Sister Philomena taught when she came to Ballybay in 1964. "She was the life and soul. She always had a little joke.
Over at St Brigid's National School, where Sister Philomena taught for 34 years, she had continued to visit after her retirement to say prayers with the children and even the youngest pupils knew her well.
St Brigid's will close tomorrow for her funeral. The parents will form a guard-of-honour at her removal to St Patrick's Church this evening.