A pensioner critically injured in an attack in which a hatchet was allegedly used has died 10 days after the violent incident in Co Louth.
Patricia “Pat” Muckian, an 81-year-old from Dundalk, had been in critical condition in hospital since the incident, on the Glenwood Estate in the town on May 3rd.
Gardaí have confirmed she died in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, on Monday, where she had been receiving specialist treatment for a head injury.
Investigating detectives were on Tuesday awaiting the results of a postmortem examination on Ms Muckian’s remains before the next steps in the inquiry were decided, including whether her death was classified as a homicide.
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The dead woman’s sister-in-law and niece – Mairead (75) and Maria Muckian – were injured in the same incident. The attack occurred when family members had gathered for afternoon tea and cake to celebrate Mairead’s 75th birthday.
Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (SF), in whose Louth constituency the attack occurred, said the local community was in shock, especially as Ms Muckian was very well known through her work with Dundalk Credit Union.
“She comes from a very big and well-respected family, and her seven sisters are still alive,” he told LMFM. “She lost one sister and three brothers and, while she was not the eldest of the family, she was viewed as the matriarch of the clan.
“She had over 20 nieces and nephews and was very supportive of them. The family and the wider community are devastated by her death. It is a brutal tragedy for all her family and friends.
“This has been a very difficult time for the family since the incident on May 3rd. The wider community of Dundalk, her family and friends, will be incredibly supportive in the coming days and weeks, as Pat herself would have been.
“And as much as Pat was recognised for her work at the credit union, I also know she was involved in many acts of charity over the years for which she never took the limelight, and just did things because they were the right thing to do. My heart goes out to the wider family at this extremely difficult time.”
A 47-year-old man accused of seriously assaulting the three women in Co Louth appeared before Dundalk District Court last week.
Nicholas Muckian (47), with an address at Glenwood, Dundalk, was charged with three counts of assault causing harm. He was further charged with unlawfully intimidating another person with a hatchet at the same location on the same date.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Dundalk District Court on Wednesday.
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