RESIDENTS in Farley Hill have been left reeling after a popular priest was attacked at the weekend.
Father Eamon Murray, priest at the Catholic St Margaret of Scotland Church in Bolingbroke Road, is understood to have been assaulted outside his home following a mass early on Saturday evening.
A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said a man had been charged with actual bodily harm and would appear at Luton Magistrates Court on March 23.
Father Murray is believed to have suffered bruising to his arm and has flown to Ireland to stay with his parents following the incident.
A police spokesman said two people known to Father Murray had been involved in the incident, and that the investigation was ongoing.
A Farley Hill resident who contacted the Luton News yesterday morning said people on the estate were extremely upset by what had happened.
The resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It was on Saturday night and he was attacked as he walked from his car to his door.
“He is tremendously shaken up, and the whole area is up in arms over this.
“He’s now afraid to even open his front door.
“We are all horrified by it, we are absolutely disgusted and feelings are running very high in Farley Hill.
“What kind of person attacks a priest?”
Bedfordshire Police confirmed the attack after receiving several enquiries about the incident on their Facebook page. One reader responded: “This makes me sick... what is this world coming to?”
The resident continued: “Father Murray is renowned for his loyalty and kindness to people, without a doubt. What has happened is disgraceful.”