Laois: An Indian priest, Fr. Dominic Savio, was stabbed and beaten during a robbery in Laois.
Father, who arrived in Ireland only two weeks ago, was left deeply shocked after being held at knife-point by two burglars who broke into the Portlaoise parish house on July 18.
The priest after being burgled was on the receiving end of unprovoked attack which left him with minor cuts to his hands and neck.
The priest, however, defied his injuries and trauma to celebrate the morning Mass the following day at Ratheniska.
But Fr. Savio said he will not let the shocking experience alter his impression of Ireland.
The priest who is currently pursuing his studies in both Rome and Ireland arrived in Portlaoise earlier this month to provide clerical cover for two local priests.
Both were overseas with the annual parish pilgrimage to Lourdes.
It is suspected the two burglars may have initially believed the parish house in Portlaoise was empty.
Monsignor John Byrne described the incident as "truly shocking" and said the young cleric had been "absolutely terrorized".
"It is a terrible thing to happen but the Portlaoise community has rallied to support Fr. Savio and show that this is not typical for this area or Ireland," he said.
