Here is the first photo of a cherished retiree who was killed after what was said to have been a bizarre and horrendous axe assault at a tea party honoring her sister-in-law’s 75th birthday.
The incident happened when she, her sister-in-law Mairead, and her niece Maria—both of whom suffered injuries—were all sitting in the kitchen enjoying tea and cake.
On May 3, Patricia Muckian, 81, was attacked at her house on the Glenwood estate in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. She had severe head damage as a result.
The Muckian family is regarded as pillars of the town and has apparently resided in the neighborhood for around 50 years.
Muckian was first transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, but after being moved there in a severe condition, Garda Síochána (the national police and security service of Ireland) yesterday announced that she had died there at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Nicholas Muckian, 47, of Glenwood, a neighboring town, appeared in Dundalk District Court in connection with the incident. He was accused of three charges of assault, but an upgrade to murder on one of the charges is expected.
The relation of the attacker to the victims has not been established, although he shares the same last name.
He stood before the court with a gray jumper and will be kept in custody. Judge Eirinn McKiernan has ordered a mental health evaluation.
Ruairí Ó Murchú, the local political representative, said that she spoke to Gardaí, and they commended the small community for its reaction in the aftermath—from the first
responders to the hospital to the sympathetic neighbors who have banded together in solidarity.
Ó Murchú said the Gardaí expressed that it’s times like these that reveal the backbone of the community, and you can gauge and appreciate the value of good people.
