A woman in her 50s, who was injured in a knife attack before Mass at a church in Tramore, County Waterford, likely knew her attacker, locals have said. Niall Cummins, aged 36, was arrested in connection with the incident and was charged with assault causing harm. He appeared before Waterford District Court on July 22 2026 at 10.30am.

The victim, Mary McNamara, received serious, non-life-threatening injuries following the incident, which took place during a Rosary recitation at about 9.45am on July 21. Armed police responded to the scene at Holy Cross Church, with gardaí stating that they are still attempting to establish the motive for the attack.

In a statement, the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore said it was “deeply shocked” by the violent incident.

The Diocese said: 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.”

Local Independent councillor Joe Kelly said to the Irish Mirror: “Everybody is shocked. Really it’s the last thing you would expect to happen in a Catholic Church and in a beautiful seaside town. That it would happen during the Rosary and in the lead-up to the Mass starting makes it even more shocking."

He added: “I was talking to a lady in Waterford city this morning and she told me that she doesn’t light candles in the church anymore during the week. She won't go into the church during the day because she said she feels unsafe.”

The Irish mirror also reported that locals believed the attacker likely knew McNamara due to their connections with the parish.

A garda spokesperson said that they had seized a knife which will be technically examined.

“Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward," the spokesperson said.