The former Bishop of Kerry, Bishop Bill Murphy, 79, was assaulted by a drunken passenger on the Killarney-Dublin train on August 6.

According to reports, the bishop was punched while praying his office.

The man who did this reportedly complained about problems in Kerry diocese before letting fly at the bishop.

Another man intervened and warned the drunken man to stop.

The latter, who is aged in his 30s, was met by police when the train arrived in Dublin.

A spokesperson for Kerry diocese said Bishop Murphy was very shaken by the incident.

Media reports have linked the assault with perceptions of Kerry diocese's handling of the clerical sex abuse scandal.

A 2013 review found the diocese had managed abuse cases appropriately and Bishop Murphy had handled his responsibilities well.

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