Kieran Creagh, is an Irish Passionist priest, from Belfast, who survived being shot while working in South Africa, where he had founded a hospice (Leratong meaning place of love) to help sufferers of HIV/Aids.[1]
Born in Belfast to Kate and Jim Creagh, Kieran studied in Queens University, Belfast, and at the age of 23 joined the Passionist order. He continued his studies, in the Milltown Institute in Dublin.
Fr. Kieran was the first person in Africa to be injected with a trial HIV vaccine,[2] in 2004 he was named, Irish International Personality of the Year.
In February 2007, he was shot three times in his home, he survived, and his attackers were convicted. He returned to South Africa following his recovery but eventually, he returned to Ireland. He learned the Irish Language[3] and ministered from 2012 until 2016 on Tory Island, Co. Donegal.[4]
In 2016 Fr. Creagh was appointed to Holy Cross in Ardoyne, in Belfast.[5]
Creagh's father, Jim Creagh, was a former UTV and Irish News journalist[6] and his brother Liam Creagh is a journalist who has worked with BBC and Sky News.
References
- ↑ Irish priest writes home after shooting ordeal in south africa Irish Independent, March 4, 2007.
- ↑ A Selfless passion for helping others by Kate Holmquist, Irish Times, Saturday, October 1, 2005.
- ↑ Priest, shot three times, to come home to study Irish by Cathy Madden, Irish Independent, March 21, 2010.
- ↑ Residents of tiny Irish island express relief as priest is confirmed for Christmas Mass by Nick Bramhill, Catholic Herald, December 22, 2016.
- ↑ Priest who survived South Africa shooting to take up Belfast post by Sean Ryan, September 11, 2016.
- ↑ Obituary: Jim Creagh - UTV stalwart who helped sell the fledgling station to its audience Belfast Telegraph, June 28, 2011.