Shot NI priest undergoes surgery

Father Kieran Creagh was shot at least twice

A priest from Belfast who is in a South African hospital after being shot has undergone surgery to remove a bullet from his lung.

Father Kieran Creagh was attacked by robbers at the hospice he founded to help Aids sufferers in Johannesburg.

Fr Creagh's brother Liam said the family were hopeful he would recover.

"They have repaired his stomach, they have repaired his lung and they have taken the bullet out. He is now on life support," he said.

"They have said he is critical but stable. It is a very worrying time for the whole family.

"My brother and my father are at the hospital, but they haven't seen him yet. His body is too weak after the surgery and obviously after the shooting."

The priest, who was the first person in Africa to be injected with a trial HIV vaccine, was made Irish International Personality of the Year in 2004.

He received the award after volunteering to try out the vaccine, despite being free from the virus himself.

He has worked with Aids patients in the country for a decade and opened the Leratong hospice in 2004.

'Bit of a struggle'

On Thursday, Liam Creagh said the shooting, which took place on Wednesday night, had been a traumatic experience.

"Two men came in and they overpowered the guards," he said.

This was a horrific and cowardly attack on a man of God Paul Boateng British high commissioner

"They went up to the apartment where he stays at the hospice and they rang the bell.

"He thought it was a patient coming to get him. He opened the door and I think there was a bit of a struggle."

He said the men fired at least two shots.

"One shot hit him in one of his lungs - and it is lodged there - and the other shot went through his arm."

Other reports suggested up to 14 men broke into the hospice.

Police told the Associated Press the robbers, who have not been caught, escaped with money from the hospice safe and the priest's mobile phone.

Paul Boateng, the UK's most senior diplomat in South Africa, condemned the actions of the robbers.

"This was a horrific and cowardly attack on a man of God who has devoted his life to the service of the poor and needy."