20/06/2003

SDLP councillor condemns assault on priest

An SDLP councillor has described an assault on a priest in west Belfast yesterday as "cowardly".

Father Matt Wallace from the Holy Trinity Parish was stabbed in the face with a screwdriver during an attempted burglary at St Martin's nursery.

Condemning the attack, SDLP councillor Margaret Walsh said: "To attack a priest while attempting to burgle a nursery school show the level these people are prepared to stoop to.

"This was a cowardly attack and it is fortunate that Father Wallace was not seriously injured."

The assault, which occurred at around 2am yesterday morning, left the priest needing hospital treating, however he has since been released.

A 19-year-old man arrested after the incident has been released pending a report.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 May 2012
Man Questioned Following River Bann Death
A 26-year-old man is still being questioned in connection with the death of a 21-year-old Owen McKeown. Mr McKeown’s body was recovered from the River Bann on Sunday following a search by rescue teams and around 50 volunteers.
07 May 2015
Teen Arrested Over Bomb In Brompton Park Area
Police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the discovery of a "substantial bomb" in north Belfast on Friday 1 May. The device was discovered in the Brompton Park area after a local priest alerted the police. The suspect was arrested following searches on Thursday morning. He is being detained at Antrim police station.
09 January 2006
Former SDLP councillor's home paint bombed
The home of a former SDLP councillor has suffered damage in an attack in County Tyrone last night. Anne Bell, who is also a former member of the Strabane District Policing Partnership, had three paint bombs thrown at her house on Knockavoe Crescent on the Ballycolman Estate, at around 8pm.
26 October 2001
SDLP councillor targeted in pipe bomb attack
The RUC say an SDLP councillor and his family were lucky to have escape injury in a pipe bomb attack on their home in Londonderry. Gerard Diver, his wife and four children were in their home at Sutton Gardens in the Waterside area when the device exploded shortly before midnight on Thursday October 25.
26 August 2009
Glengormley Trouble Slammed
Councillors in a suburban area of Co Antrim have joined forces to call for an end to sectarian incidents.