A woman in her 50s has been seriously injured after being stabbed during mass in Tramore, Co Waterford.
Emergency services are at the scene of the incident which occurred shortly before 10am.
According to reports, the incident occurred during the recitation of the rosary before 10am this morning.
The woman was in the main body of the church when she was stabbed.
She was taken to the University Hospital Waterford with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The man was arrested and a knife was seized by gardaí. He is being held at a garda station in Co Waterford.
In a statement, gardaí said via The Irish Times that the man was arrested at a nearby residence and is being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore also released a statement, they said they were “deeply shocked by a violent incident which occurred this morning during Mass at Holy Cross Church, Tramore."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery. We wish to commend 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 statement continued.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone who was in the Summerhill area of Tramore between 9.15am and 10.15am on Tuesday is asked to contact gardaí. Those who may have dashcam, CCTV or other camera footage from the area during that time are also urged to make it available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tramore Garda Station on 051 391620.
