An elderly man was seriously injured when a church bell weighing more than half a ton fell through the porch as the Sunday morning service was about to begin at Croom Church of Ireland parish church in Co Limerick.
The man was named last night as Mr William Shire (77) of Bushfield, Patrickswell. He is married with a grown-up family and his condition was described last night as stable.
Mr Shire was in the porch of the church ringing the bell for the 9.30 a.m. service, which was being conducted by a layman. He was ringing the bell when the worshippers heard a loud thud.
According to Sgt Con Horan of Croom Garda station: "The bell had come loose from its mountings and came through the ceiling into the porch. Planks also came down and the victim was seriously injured. He sustained head and shoulder injuries and was rushed to the Midwest Regional Hospital in Limerick."
Sgt Horan added: "The victim is very popular and well known and respected in the area." Gardai are investigating the incident.