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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
Sophie Collins & Sean Murphy

Housekeeper's husband arrested in connection with 'brutal' murder of Irish bishop in California

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Irish-born Bishop David O’Connell in California on Saturday.

Bishop O'Connell, who was originally from Cork, was found dead at his home on February 18, having suffered a gunshot wound to the torso.

The suspected gunman was known to him, according to investigators, and was taken into custody on Monday following an overnight operation carried out by police at his home.

READ MORE: Cork priest condemns 'brutal death' of hero Irish bishop in America

Two firearms were also recovered during the late night arrest, and LA County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the man arrested was known to Bishop O'Connell.

He told local journalists: “The person of interest was identified as Carlos Medina.

“Medina is the husband of Bishop O’Connell’s housekeeper”.

People visit a memorial for the Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell outside the Hacienda Heights home where he was murdered on Saturday (Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Today, a parish priest in Cork has condemned the brutal death and called for prayers at a time of “sadness and sorrow”.

Fr Damien O’Mahony paid an emotional tribute to Bishop O’Connell during Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune.

Parish Priest Fr O’Mahony told mass-goers that gunshot victim Bishop O’Connell was “brutally killed” and praised him for remaining true to his “Cork roots” and called for prayers at a time of “sadness and sorrow”.

He said: “Bishop O’Connell was a native of Glounthaune, a man who was baptised here in this church, back in 1953.

Bishop O'Connell, who was originally from Cork, was found dead at his home on Saturday having suffered a gunshot wound to the torso. (Walt Mancini/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

“He was brutally killed and murdered in his home in Los Angeles and we pray for him at this time.

“He was a man who never lost touch with his Cork roots, even though he lived on the other side of the world.

“His heart was here in Cork, and particularly in Glounthaune parish.

“He said Mass here in this church over the years and we pray also for his family and his many friends.

“It is a time of heartbreak, shock, tears, sadness and sorrow.”

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