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An Irish woman in her 50s was seriously injured after being stabbed in her church during morning Mass on Tuesday, and the suspect in his 30s reportedly has a history of mental illness.
Mary McNamara was with a group of women praying the rosary near the altar at Holy Cross Church in Tramore, County Waterford, when an unidentified 36-year-old man walked up the aisle toward them and allegedly stabbed her in the torso after chasing her, according to the Irish Mirror. The outlet claimed the suspect is a white Irish national.
Irish police, known as gardaí, arrested the suspect at a nearby residence and he is being held under section four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, though they have yet to release a motive, The Irish Times reports. Sources noted that the suspect was known to have struggled with mental illness and had interacted with local mental health services.
Police said in a statement that they seized a knife from the suspect and will examine it for evidence.
McNamara, who was described by locals as "kind" and "gentle," was reportedly taken to University Hospital Waterford, and police said her injuries were serious but non-life-threatening.
Ann O'Connor, who was in the church when McNamara was stabbed, told the Irish Mirror that the incident traumatized her.
"The lady that was stabbed was kneeling behind me, so I didn't see a lot, but it was very traumatic. He was there and he came down the church and stopped. He just lunged with a knife, and she ran, and he after her," O'Connor said.
Another local woman who tends to the church's graveyard said news of the stabbing spread rapidly on social media almost immediately after it took place.
"Within three minutes of it happening, it was on social media," the woman told the Irish Independent. "It's very unusual, we're not expecting something like this."
Another local woman who spoke to the Irish outlet recounted the large police presence in response, and claimed she heard the stabbing took place at the altar.
"Apparently she was just up on the altar [when it happened]. Everybody is very much shook up over what's happened," the woman said. "It's a terrible shock. It's a place of sanctuary. And it's just devastating that something like that would happen in there."
The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore issued a statement expressing deep shock at the incident while urging prayers for the victim, according to Sky News.
"We wish to commend the courage and presence of mind shown by the parishioners who assisted during this frightening incident," the diocese said.
Joe Kelly, a devout Roman Catholic who serves as a councilman on the Waterford City and County Council, suggested that such wickedness taking place in a church is a symptom of a society that is breaking down, according to The Irish Times.
"Our first thoughts have to be with the victim and with her family. People are traumatized by what has happened. This incident of criminal behavior would make anyone ask if they are safe anywhere, especially in a place which is meant to be a sacred, solemn and holy place," he said.
"I believe the pressures of today are making the fabric of society fray at the edges. To see something happen in a Catholic church makes you feel that no place is safe," he added.
The church stabbing incident comes less than two months after a Sudanese migrant attempted to behead a man in neighboring Northern Ireland, where riots erupted in response in Belfast.
