The stabbing took place today at Holy Cross Church in Summerhill, Tramore, County Waterford, with the victim, aged in her 50s, described as a 'lovely woman'18:44, 21 Jul 2026Updated 01:33, 22 Jul 2026A woman has been stabbed inside a church in Ireland just before morning Mass.The attack took place today at Holy Cross Church in, Tramore, County Waterford, in Ireland at about 9.45am. The victim, aged in her 50s and named as Mary McNamara, reportedly suffered a single knife wound before she was rushed to hospital.Multiple units, including specialist armed police from the Armed Support Unit, responded to the incident along with paramedics. The victim suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, the Gardai have said.In an update, 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 22nd July 2026 at 10.30am,” a Garda spokesperson said.The force said in its statement that although the woman suffered serious injuries in the attack, her life is understood to be not in danger at this stage.Parish Priest Richard O’Halloran described what had occurred as “a very shocking event.”"However the people and indeed my colleague who was there at the time responded wonderfully well. All the emergency services were called and they looked after everything that was happening. This was an incident before Mass. It was in the main body of the church."Earlier the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore said in a statement it was “deeply shocked” by “a violent incident” that took place before the 10am 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.Article continues below“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.”