Priest stabbed during volunteer work at Capuchin day centre to resume ministry tomorrow

A Catholic priest who volunteers at the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin was injured after a stabbing incident today. 

The incident took place during the breakfast hours at the day centre where Father Ademir Marques OFM cap. was stabbed in the head. 

In a statement the Capuchin Day Centre said “We can confirm that an incident did occur this morning that was effectively managed by our team on site.”

“Emergency services were contacted for follow-up support.”

’Thankfully, the prompt intervention of our team meant that Fr Ademir sustained only a superficial injury and will be back to his ministry again tomorrow as usual.’’ said Chief Executive Brian Friel. 

The Capuchin Day Centre has fed generations of people marginalised through homelessness, unemployment, and drink and drug addiction at the well-known Centre in Dublin each day.

Anthony Geraghty, 38,  was arrested at the centre at 10.45am before being brought him to the Bridewell Garda Station and charged with assault causing harm to Fr Marques.

It was reported that Geraghty suffers from a cognitive deficiency and is at least partially non-verbal.

As Gript previously reported then 87-year-old Brother Kevin Crowley retired in August 2022 after decades of work at the centre which he established in 1969. 

Maria Maynes wrote, “Up to 1,600 people queued for food parcels distributed by volunteers  at the Day Centre in Bow Street every Wednesday, with the amount of people in need more than doubling since the collapse of the banks in 2008.

When the Centre first opened its doors to the homeless and struggling in 1969, roughly 50 people attended. In recent times, Br Kevin’s volunteers have fed a cooked breakfast for up to 300 people each morning – and have served lunch to around twice that amount from 1-3pm daily. Many people, shunned by society, found great comfort and community at Br Kevin’s Centre at a time when they were at their most vulnerable, hopeless and helpless.

Open six days a week from 7am, the Day Centre offers a much-longed-for reprieve for those in need, providing not only quality cooked meals, but also warm showers and fresh clothes to anyone who may need them. A doctor and nurse are also present some days, and services provided include counselling, chiropody and eye testing.”

You can read the full report here.