A woman has been seriously injured in a suspected stabbing before Mass at a Catholic church in Ireland.
The shocking incident occurred at the Holy Cross Church in Summerhill, Tramore, at approximately 9:45am as parishioners were reportedly praying and reciting the Rosary.
The female victim, who is in her 50s, was rushed to Waterford University Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, a man in his 30s was arrested at a domestic residence near the parish, Gardaí said.
He is currently being held in police custody under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Investigators on the scene also “seized a knife”, which will be examined for DNA and fingerprints.
According to the Irish media, the male suspect is an Irish national residing in Tramore.
He is not related to the victim and is known to authorities, it is understood.
Parishioners were reportedly praying
|TRAMORE PARISH
Officers are appealing for witnesses or those with footage to come forward.
The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore said in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery."
Father Richard O’Halloran, the parish's priest, described the attack as "shocking".
He told the Irish Mirror: "The people and indeed my colleague who was there at the time responded wonderfully well.
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Officers are appealing for witnesses
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"All the emergency services were called and they looked after everything that was happening.
"This was an incident before Mass.
"It was in the main body of the church.”
Fr O’Halloran believed the incident to be random in nature, yet stressed the investigation is “in the hands of the guards".
He confirmed the injured worshipper is a member of the parish and well known in the local community.
Responding, 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.”
“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.”
Any individuals who were in the vicinity between 9.15am and 10.15am are urged to contact police.
Anyone with information can contact Tramore Garda Station on (051) 391620, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.