South Armagh priest climbs out bathroom window after burglary and hammer assault

There was widespread outrage in the local community today after it emerged that a local parish priest was attacked with a hammer and injured in a burglary.

Fr Dermot Moloney, Parish Priest at St Patrick’s Church, Dromintee, was attacked last night when three armed intruders entered the parochial house.

Father Moloney unwittingly walked in and disturbed the three intruders in the office of his parochial house in Jonesborough yesterday, Wednesday 30th October.

He was then assaulted with a hammer and locked in a bathroom by the burglars. The South Armagh priest managed to escape by climbing out of a window in the bathroom. He was treated in hospital for facial injuries.

Father Moloney received treatment in hospital and was left badly shaken

The burglars reportedly made off with a small amount of money.

Police have appealed for anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area to contact them.

Reacting to the news, local Sinn Fein MLA Megan Fearon stated, “At 11.30pm Fr Moloney was alone in the house when three men broke in through the rear entrance. The men attacked Fr Moloney with a hammer before making good their escape.

“I and my colleagues Councillors Anthony Flynn and Packie McDonald have visited Fr Moloney and he is extremely shaken by this ordeal. I am disgusted that people would target anyone in our community in this way.

Fearon added, “I hope that Fr Moloney recovers from his physical injuries quickly and that he has the strength of mind to put this attack behind him. I call on anyone with information on this robbery to contact the PSNI.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Oct 31 2013. Filed under Community, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry