Mr Makepeace said: “In the opinion of the Home Office pathologist the injuries sustained were caused by the application of severe force from a blunt weapon such as the hammer recovered. There were at least nine separate scalp wounds identified with extensive underlying fractures to the face and skull.
“Fifteen pieces of fractured skull had to be removed during the surgical intervention. Essentially every bone in the face was broken, some in multiple places.
“Some of the injuries were paired, i.e. side by side with short space between, indicative the claw end of the hammer having struck the skull in places. The pathologist opined there had been at least ten impacts with the hammer.
“There were also defensive injuries to both hands and the back of the hands and forearms indicating Niamh Cunningham had sought to deflect blows using her hand and arms to try to defend herself.”