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NI woman critical after US attack NI woman critical after US attack
(1 day later)
A 23-year-old woman from south Armagh is in a critical condition in Chicago after she was beaten with an aluminium baseball bat in the city on Friday. A 23-year-old woman from south Armagh remains in a critical condition in Chicago after she was beaten with an aluminium baseball bat on Friday.
Natasha McShane, who is from Silverbridge, had been studying at the University of Illinois in Chicago.Natasha McShane, who is from Silverbridge, had been studying at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Ms McShane and a female friend were attacked at 0330 local time on their way home from a night out.Ms McShane and a female friend were attacked at 0330 local time on their way home from a night out.
Natasha's grandmother said she was disgusted by the attack on a "great girl who always aimed high".Natasha's grandmother said she was disgusted by the attack on a "great girl who always aimed high".
Bernadette McShane said that she understood her granddaughter had had an operation on Friday but that her condition remained the same. Bernadette McShane said her granddaughter had had an operation on Friday but that her condition remained the same.
She added: "The report was not good but with the help of God, that could be turned around. Everyone is ringing and prayers are being said." "She is still critical but stable," she said.
Natasha's parents, Jim and Sheila McShane, have taken a flight to America to be at their daughter's bedside. "Her mother and father (Liam and Shiela McShane) are with her and also my eldest daughter, her father's sister, Natasha's aunt. They really cannot tell us how things are. It is just early days. But at least she is stable."
She is receiving treatment at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.She is receiving treatment at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.
It is understood the attacker struck both women with the bat before stealing their purses and running away. The two women had been out for the evening to celebrate after Natasha got her degree.
Natasha's grandmother said that she understood her daughter's friend, named in the local press as Stacy Jurich, had not been as badly hurt and had managed to flag down a passing taxi to come to their aid. They were making their way home through the Bucktown district when the attack happened.
Natasha McShane did her primary degree in Northern Ireland before going on to do a postgraduate course at University College, Dublin. Aluminium bat
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the McShane family. It is understood the attacker struck both women with the aluminium bat before stealing their purses and running away.
Natasha was struck over the head two or three times.
Natasha's grandmother said that she understood her daughter's friend, named in the local press as Stacy Jurich, was not as badly hurt and managed to flag down a passing taxi to come to their aid.
Police in Chicago said the attack was being investigated. So far, no-one has been arrested.
Natasha McShane did her primary degree at Queen's University, Belfast before going on to do a postgraduate course at University College, Dublin.
Since January, she has been on an exchange programme, studying urban planning at the University of Illinois, where a spokesman said their thoughts are with her and her family.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the McShane family.
A spokesman for the University of Illinois in Chicago confirmed Ms McShane is a graduate student at the university's College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs and had been studying there since January.A spokesman for the University of Illinois in Chicago confirmed Ms McShane is a graduate student at the university's College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs and had been studying there since January.