Father Diarmuid Byrne, 70, was found in his home covered in blood and confused following an attack. There was blood all over the room.
Following the call in from a worried neighbor, a blood stained iron bar was found near the priest’s home.
After being stopped for being intoxicated, Shane Cooney was arrested as the main suspect in the attack. Cooney had many previous convictions including robbery, firearms assault and possession of drugs.
Father Byrne was treated for a fractured skull and had to get 26 stitches to many facial wounds.
An iron bar, woolen hat and gloves were found outside the back door at the scene. Cooney was arrested that night and denied the allegations but later pleaded guilty.