Three Irish missionaries in Kenya have narrowly escaped injury in a vicious robbery in which one of their local colleagues was seriously injured.
Franciscan Brothers Tony Dolan, Clement Brady and Matthew McCormack were shocked but unharmed, their order said yesterday. However, Brother David Muchemi, a Kenyan, was shot in the stomach and hand during the attack on the Baraka agricultural training institute in Molo in eastern Kenya last week.
Brother Dolan was present when Brother Larry Timmins was killed nearby in mysterious circumstances in 1997. Brother Timmins, from Delvin, Co Westmeath, was allegedly killed by a policeman he had accused of corruption. No one has been tried for the crime.
The latest attack took place late last Tuesday, when at least seven robbers overpowered a night watchman, shot his dog and approached the Franciscans' house. Brother Muchemi opened the door but when the guard signalled with his eyes that something was amiss, he tried to shut it.
The robbers then opened fire, hitting Brother Muchemi, who managed to activate the alarm.
The intruders broke down the door and ransacked the house for money. They forced Brother Brady (70) around at gunpoint and beat up Brother Muchemi. The other brothers stayed in their rooms and were unharmed. The gang took money and photographic equipment.
The provincial of the Franciscans in Ireland, Brother James Mungovan, said yesterday the crime was "purely motivated by money". However, there have been rising levels of violence in this part of Kenya, much of it directed at the Catholic Church.
Only a few days earlier, thieves broke into the home of a local bishop and stole his car and electronic equipment. The church, which has been critical of President Daniel arap Moi, has suggested the attacks on clergy could be linked to the general election to be held in March.
The three Irish brothers have returned to their house in Molo. Brother Muchemi was operated on and is said to be recovering well. The Franciscans celebrate 25 years in Molo this year.
Regarding the investigation into Brother Timmins's death, the provincial said there had been "no further progress". In December 2000, a judicial inquiry recommended that a policeman be charged with his murder, but nothing has happened since. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, raised the case with President Moi during a State visit by President McAleese to Kenya last October.