A Garda investigation is under way in Co Donegal, following the stabbing of a parish priest in an attempted raid on his home.
Father Dinny McGettigan (62) received stab wounds to the head and chest when he disturbed a burglar in the parochial house at Raphoe, east Donegal. He was recovering in Letterkenny General Hospital last night where his condition was described as "comfortable". The stab wounds are not life-threatening.
Father McGettigan, who was alone in the house, awoke around 2.45 a.m yesterday to find a man standing over him brandishing a knife and demanding the keys to the safe.
The priest was injured in the ensuing struggle. Last night the Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Philip Boyce, described the attack as "frightening and shocking", adding that in its own way it was an attack on the church.
A number of cars were stolen in the Raphoe and Letterkenny areas prior to the attack and garda∅ believe these may be linked in some way.