Man charged after suspected stabbing before Mass at Waterford church

By Gráinne Ní Aodha and Rebecca Black, Press Association

A man has been charged following a suspected stabbing before Mass at a church in Co Waterford.

A woman aged in her 50s was seriously injured in the incident at the Holy Cross Church in Summerhill in Tramore at around 9.45am on Tuesday.

She was described as having received serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Waterford University Hospital.

On Tuesday night, Gardaí said a man, aged in his 30s, arrested in connection with a serious assault in Tramore that day had been charged.

“He is due to appear before Waterford District Court on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 at 10.30am,” a Garda spokesperson said.

Earlier, the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore said in a statement it was “deeply shocked” by “a violent incident” that took place before the 10 am weekday Mass at the Holy Cross Church.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured parishioner, and we pray for her full and speedy recovery,” it said in a statement.

“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.”