Lisnaskea: Girl, 13, stabbed 'protecting 11-month-old nephew'

A 13-year-old girl has been critically injured after she tried to protect her 11-month-old nephew from a gang of men armed with machetes, her family has said.

The teenager suffered serious stab wounds after the men forced their way into a house on Trasna Way in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, at about 21:15 GMT on Saturday.

The baby was unharmed.

Elizabeth Joyce, who is a relative of the girl, hailed her as a hero.

"It is something that we will never get over," Ms Joyce, who was also injured, told BBC News NI.

The 13-year-old is in a critical but stable condition.

"The baby was unharmed because his auntie is a hero. She's 13 years old and she threw her whole self over that baby, and she saved his life. She is a hero."

Police are treating the incident as attempted murder.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Det Sgt Keith Monaghan said the incident was a terrifying ordeal for those involved.

"We are determined to find the men responsible," he added.

He said detectives were investigating several lines of inquiry.