A woman who was beaten with a hammer in an alleged sectarian attack has been left paralysed on one side, the High Court in Belfast has been told.
A Crown lawyer said: "She has been moved out of intensive care, but assuming she recovers, she will be disabled for life."
He was opposing a bail application by two women accused of causing grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary at the woman's flat at Pakenham Street, Belfast, last week.
The lawyer said Ms Gladys Walker (39), of Templemore Avenue, and Ms Anne McClenaghan (33), of Maryville Street, went to the flat with a man he described as a "significant player in a terrorist organisation".
The man, who was said to have evaded arrest, was alleged to have told the women: "Let's get the Fenian bastard."
The women's lawyer denied any sectarian motive and said they set out to confront the victim about remarks she was alleged to have made about Ms McClenaghan's husband. "Both are adamant they had no knowledge the man was carrying a hammer," he added.
Bail was refused by Mr Justice Girvan.