Irish priest shot during hospice robbery in South Africa

An Irish priest has been shot during a robbery at a well-known hospice he established in South Africa to help people suffering with HIV and AIDS.

Fr Kieran Creagh is believed to have been shot in the abdomen and the back by raiders who broke into his Leratong hospice in the deprived township of Atteridgeville West on Wednesday night.

The 43-year-old Belfast-born priest is believed to be in intensive care in hospital, where his condition is described as stable.

Fr Creagh is a former winner of ESB/Rehab International Person of the Year award and has gained worldwide attention for his work with developing an experimental AIDS vaccine.