A woman in her 50s has been seriously injured after being stabbed during a Mass at a church in Co Waterford on Sunday morning.
The attack happened inside Holy Cross Church in Tramore, shocking the local community and those who were present at the service when the incident unfolded.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and the woman was treated for her injuries. The attack took place during a live church service, with members of the congregation present at the time.
Gardai have launched an investigation into the incident. The scene at Holy Cross Church was sealed off as officers worked to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
Tramore is a popular coastal town in Waterford, and the attack has sent shockwaves through what is a tight-knit local community. A place of worship is considered one of the safest environments imaginable, making the incident all the more disturbing for those who witnessed it.
This is a developing story and more details are expected to emerge as the Garda investigation progresses. Anyone with information is urged to contact their local Garda station.