An elderly woman remains in a critical condition after being stabbed at her Dublin home yesterday.

72-year-old Bridie Smith was attacked as she opened her front door on Oranmore Road in Ballyfermot at around 9.30am.

Gardaí in Dublin are appealing for witnesses after locals reported seeing at least two men fleeing the scene.

Cathal McMahon, journalist with Independent.ie, has been following the story.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, he explained: "People are understandably very upset and very shocked. Mrs Smith has lived in the area for we believe a number of decades [...] She'd be very well known, very well liked in the area.

"She was interviewed for the Independent back in 2007 when she helped put out a fire in a neighbouring home."

He said that Gardaí are keeping an open mind regarding the motivations behind the attack, and have made no arrests yet.