Elderly priests urged to wear panic buttons

More than 80 priests in Meath have received advice on personal safety after a number of attacks on their homes and churches in recent years.

Elderly priests, many of whom still serve ministerial positions into their 80s, have been urged to wear panic buttons in the wake of past incidents in which priests in the diocese have been tied up and assaulted.

Parochial houses, churches, and sacristies have been hit by thieves in search of money or valuable objects. Heating oil has also been a favourite target of robbers.