A woman in her 50s was seriously injured after she was allegedly stabbed during a church service at Holy Cross Church in Tramore, County Waterford, Ireland.
According to local reports, the incident occurred at about 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday while Mass was underway. The victim was reportedly attacked near the altar before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
She was rushed to Waterford University Hospital, where she is receiving treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Irish police, known as An Garda Síochána, confirmed that a man in his 30s was arrested at a nearby residence shortly after the attack.
Authorities said the suspect is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at a Garda station in County Waterford as investigations continue.
Police also confirmed that a knife believed to have been used in the attack was recovered and has been seized for forensic examination.
Investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether the suspect and the victim knew each other prior to the attack.
Reacting to the incident, the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore said it was deeply shocked by the violence that occurred inside the place of worship.
In a statement, the diocese said:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery.
“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 diocese also praised parishioners who assisted during the emergency and thanked the priests, emergency medical personnel, and members of An Garda Síochána for their swift response.
Irish police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the attack or has video footage of the incident to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the stabbing, and inquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
