It's seven months now and he's pretty much in same condition

Tom, 74, paralysed after 'burglary attack'

- EMMA MCMENAMY

THE cousin of Tom Niland said the pensioner faces spending the rest of his life in hospital paralysed from the neck down.

Tom, 74, has been on life support at Sligo University Hospital since he was attacked during a burglary at his home in the village of Skreen on January 18.

His cousin Michael Walsh said Tom is desperately trying to talk but has not made any progress.

He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: "It's seven months now since it happened and he's still in pretty much the same condition.

"You could say there has been no real progress. It's not looking good in that respect. He has no feeling from the neck down.