Young Galway priest shot dead in Uganda

A Co Galway missionary priest has been murdered in a gun attack by a terrorist faction in Uganda.

Father Declan O’Toole, 31, was shot dead along with parish workers in an ambush by a lone gunman on their vehicle in the northern region of the African country last night.

The dead priest was from Headford, Co Galway, and is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother.

A member of the Mill Hill Missionaries order, he was killed in an area where the Ugandan government has been fighting insurgents for a number of years.

The attacker was believed to have been wearing a military-style uniform. Two other people died in the incident.

In a statement, the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, said he had been shocked and saddened by the news.

He added: ‘‘Only a few years ago, I had the pleasure of ordaining Father Declan to the priesthood in his parish church.

It is hard to believe that the life and ministry of this dedicated and thoroughly likeable young priest could have been ended in such a brutal and untimely manner.

‘‘We should pray especially at this time for Uganda and its people.’’

Declan’s parents, Paul and Carmel O’Toole, of Curramore in Headford, Galway, and his two sisters and brother are said to be deeply shocked by the death and are currently making arrangements for his remains to be returned to Ireland.