Parish secretary is ‘traumatised’ after attack

By The Newsroom
Published 21st Feb 2020, 16:02 BST
Updated 21st Feb 2020, 18:13 BST
Fr Paddy Delargy at the scene of an incident at his parochial house in Ballymena. Picture: North East News.Fr Paddy Delargy at the scene of an incident at his parochial house in Ballymena. Picture: North East News.
Fr Paddy Delargy at the scene of an incident at his parochial house in Ballymena. Picture: North East News.
The secretary of a Catholic parish in Co Antrim has been left “traumatised” after she was attacked by a man demanding money, the parish priest has said.

The attack happened at Kirkinriola Parish in Ballymena on Thursday.

The PSNI said they are investigating an assault on a woman.

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Parish priest Fr Patrick Delargy told the News Letter: “It happened at four o’clock.

“The secretary and I were in the office. I was on a phonecall and someone was at the door. The secretary went to the door while I took the phonecall.”

Fr Delargy continued: “The man started demanding money and she referred him to the St Vincent De Paul society which would help people in time of need.

“At that he started to lose his self control. He started abusing her and she said ‘I’m sorry we can’t help you and I would refer you to other people who might be able to help’.

“With that, he actually assaulted her. He struck her. “

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He continued: “She got the door closed and came back into the office. I went out to see what was happening but by the time I got there he was away on a bicycle.

“She is obviously traumatised but she wanted to come out today to give her statement to the police, because she wants to see it done and dusted.”

The parish priest said he was grateful for the support shown from other Churches following the attack

“I would like to thank members of other Christian denominations who have offered their support. The Methodist minister, the Church of Ireland and a few others have offered their support,” he said.

Father Delargy said security arrangements are now going to be enforced strictly in future, even though it may “inconvenience some people”.