Trio face charges for sick machete attack on girl (14) as she shielded nephew from blades of attackers
Some of the injuries young Geraldine suffered in the brutal attack in November 2019
Three men are finally to be charged over the horror machete attack in which a 14-year-old girl was repeatedly slashed as she shielded her one-year-old nephew's body from the blades of their attackers.
Nearly six years after the video-taped attack in Lisnaskea, Fermanagh, shocked the nation, the Sunday World has learned that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Northern Ireland has decided on the charges that are to be brought against the Athlone based trio.
A document seen by this newspaper confirms the CPS issued its decision to bring prosecutions against the three men on February 5 this year.
It's understood a European Arrest Warrant may be sought as the men are not resident in Northern Ireland.
The Sunday World is aware of the identities of the trio but, for legal reasons, they cannot be disclosed at this time.
Some of the injuries young Geraldine suffered in the brutal attack in November 2019
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All three are to be charged that on November 16, 2019, each unlawfully and maliciously wounded Geraldine Maughan with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possessed offensive weapons namely a machete, and maliciously attempted to cause grievous bodily harm to John Joyce.
In a statement to the Sunday World, issued on Wednesday, a PSNI spokesperson said: 'We are working alongside the Public Prosecution Service on this case and the investigation is ongoing.'
During the horror attack, baby John's aunt Geraldine was sliced open six times as she used her body to shield her godson.
His grandmother Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Joyce was also treated for leg wounds.
Police believe the men who burst into their home were searching for baby John's grandfather David 'Gramsey' Joyce.
Gramsey, who has a fearsome reputation as a bare-knuckle boxer, was in a house nearby and raced to his family's aid after hearing the screams but the attackers had fled.
Horrifically, the attack was taped on a mobile phone by one of the thugs present and later sent to Geraldine as she recovered from her injuries in hospital.
Geraldine later told the Sunday World how she believed she was going to die after her lung was cut open during the vile attack.
Geraldine Maughan, left, with her mother Kathleen
Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 30th
But she said: 'He's my godson and I love him. I couldn't let them hurt him even though they were hitting me.'
Geraldine also recalled how, as the blows from the machete rained down on her, she 'looked up over my shoulder and I could see one of the men standing over me'.
'I was screaming for help,' she added. 'And then he started laughing at me, laughing like the devil, and he just wouldn't stop.
'I thought they were going to kill me and then they were going to kill baby John and then my cousin.'
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