Family holds a night vigil as beloved pensioner (81) fights for life after an ax attack

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

Patricia Muckian

A much-loved pensioner, 81, was fighting for her life in hospital last night after she was attacked with an ax during a tea to mark her sister-in-law's 75th birthday.

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