Family keeps bedside vigil as much-loved pensioner (81) fights for life after axe attack

Patricia ‘Pat’ Muckian suffered severe head trauma, while her sister-in-law Mairead and niece Maria were also injured

Patrick O'Connell

Today at 13:35

A much-loved pensioner (81) was last night fighting for her life in hospital after being attacked with an axe at a tea to celebrate her sister-in-law’s 75th birthday.

Patricia ‘Pat’ Muckian suffered severe head trauma, while her sister-in-law Mairead and niece Maria were also injured when a man well-known to the three carried out the attack.