A woman was in critical condition after being attacked by cattle on an island in Fermanagh over the weekend.

The woman is believed to have been injured while trying to protect her dog during a trip to Devenish Island in Lower Lough Erne on Sunday.

The Belfast Trust was unable to confirm her current condition but said that she was critically ill earlier in the week.

The woman, who is understood to be a tourist, was airlifted to South West Acute Hospital and then transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

The Irish Coastguard Sligo Rescue 118 and an RNLI lifeboat took part in the rescue.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: "One of the crew stayed with the lady who had suffered back injuries while paramedics were transferred by the boat from the mainland.

"The Irish Coast Guard helicopter (Rescue 118) was tasked from Sligo and they airlifted the lady to the nearby South West Acute Hospital."

A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities said: "The incident occurred on private land.

"The department is involved with discussions with relevant authorities and the landowner to ascertain exactly what happened."

A relative told BBC Northern Ireland that she has since undergone surgery on her colon and back.

Her dog was treated by a vet but later died from his injuries.