Woman, 50s, injured in alleged stabbing during mass at Waterford church
Gardaí at the Holy Cross Church. Photo: Joe Evans.
Political and religious leaders in Waterford have expressed their shock after an early morning stabbing attack on a woman during Mass at the main Catholic church in Tramore.
Gardaí in the seaside town arrested a man shortly after the assault and seized a knife in connection with the incident.
The woman, aged in her 50s, suffered one stab wound, inflicting, what gardaí believe are, “serious but not life-threatening injuries”.
While the investigation is at a very early stage, the attack is not thought to be linked to radicalisation.
The man arrested is understood be a local man, born in Ireland and an Irish citizen. He is believed to be known to local gardaí in relation to mental health issues attracting garda attention.
The attack happened at 9.45am during, or just before, Mass at Holy Cross Church at Summerhill, which is a busy location at the top of the town near a number of supermarkets.
A statement issued by the garda press office said: “Gardaí in Tramore are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Tramore, Co Waterford on Tuesday.
“At approximately 9:45am gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of an assault in a premises on Summerhill, Tramore.”
It said: “A female (aged in her 50s) was conveyed to Waterford University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.
“Gardaí arrested a male (aged in his 30s) at a domestic residence located nearby.”
The statement said the man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Waterford garda station.
This allows for a maximum period of detention of 24 hours, excluding sleep breaks.
The statement confirmed that gardaí “seized a knife”, which will be technically examined for DNA and fingerprints.
Gardaí have been taking statements from parishioners, and priests, attending mass.
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore issued a statement after the attack.
“The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore is deeply shocked by a violent incident which occurred this morning during Mass at Holy Cross Church, Tramore,” it said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery.”
It commended the “courage and presence of mind” shown by the parishioners who assisted during this “frightening” incident.
“We also thank the priests of the parish for their immediate pastoral care and concern, and we express our sincere gratitude to An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service and all emergency personnel for their prompt response.
“We ask the people of the Diocese to pray for the injured woman, for everyone affected by this distressing incident, and for the parish community of Holy Cross, Tramore.”
The understands the man arrested has had previous interactions with gardaí, thought to be related to mental health issues.
The early indications suggest that gardaí do not suspect an anti-religious, political or radicalised motivation, but a full investigation will be carried out, sources said.
Responding, local Fianna Fáil councillor Eamon Quinlan said: “People are deeply shocked to hear of this early morning attack, literally on the grounds of the main Catholic Church in the town.”
He added: “Tramore as a community is quite close knit and it also welcomes in tens of thousands of people during the summer as a seaside destination. This type of incident is unheard of here.”
He appealed to anyone who saw anything or heard anything to come forward to gardaí in Tramore.
Anyone with information can contact Tramore Garda Station on (051) 391620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
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