A SUSPECT in the savage knife attack on a Dublin solicitor hired a hitman to carry out the assault, it has been revealed.
Violet Quigley (44) was stabbed repeatedly at her home in Donaghmede, north Dublin, early last month.
Investigations have found that "a middle class suspect" who knew Ms Quigley decided to have her murdered for personal reasons.
"The ordeal she was subjected to was appalling. And it was organised over a lengthy period of time by someone who knew her," a source said.
The evil plot hatched by the man is one of the most diabolical that detectives have come across in recent times.
Ms Quigley is still recovering from the terrible injuries that were inflicted on her during the horrific ordeal
Gardai have pumped significant resources into their investigation and are said to be making good progress.
According to sources, one of the main lines of enquiry is that a man paid a cash-strapped drug-addict to carry out the attack.
At around midnight on April 8 last, Ms Quigley lost a huge amount of blood during the assault by a masked man wielding a knife and a claw hammer.
Neighbours heard Ms Quigley's screams during the incident and rushed to her aid.
She was rushed to Beaumont Hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds to her legs, stomach, arms and head. She was left in a critical condition and was on a life support machine for over 24 hours.
Sources say that the suspect and the knife attacker have been identified and the investigation is at a very advanced stage.
One neighbour who ran into the house after the attack said that the bedroom was like an "abattoir".
"There was a phenomenal amount of blood," she said. "Violet was saying, 'Why would he do this to me?'"
STOLEN
Just one day before the attack the lawyer's laptop was stolen from her home and Ms Quigley rang her parents who pleaded with her to stay with them, but she declined.
Ms Quigley is a single lady who works in the ESB's legal section and is described by friends as "a lovely, very private lady".
She has not been able to return to work after the incident.
Before the attack Ms Quigley was an outdoor enthusiast and part of a hill-walking club based in north Dublin. Friends described her as very fit, which played a key part in her being able to survive the vicious attack.
hnews@herald.ie