Cross stolen from St Peter’s Church
GARDAI are investigating after a cross and medallion were ripped off the front of the Holy Souls altar, pictured right, in St Peter’s Church.
A thief used a screwdriver to force the brass cross from its position and they also pocketed a medallion that rested in the centre of it.
It is believed both items date back many decades, possibly to the erection of the church in the early part of the 1880s.
A man jumped the railing and then attacked the altar, causing considerable damage to it.
CCTV is in operation in the church.
The incident has shocked those involved with St Peter’s but they are anxious that people still come in and appreciate the beauty of the place.
It houses the shrine of St Oliver Plunkett plus a part of the True Cross.
However, it has left church authorities anxious about staff after such an incident, especially given the fact that the robber was armed with a screwdriver.
The theft was spotted last Tuesday and took place some days before that.
GARDAI are investigating after a cross and medallion were ripped off the front of the Holy Souls altar in St Peter’s Church.
A thief used a screwdriver to force the brass cross from its position and they also pocketed a medallion that rested in the centre of it.
It is believed both items date back many decades, possibly to the erection of the church in the early part of the 1880s.
The discovery was made on Tuesday, but the incident is believed to have happened the previous Saturday afternoon, around 4pm.
A man jumped the railing and then attacked the altar, causing considerable damage to it.
CCTV is in operation in the church.
The incident has shocked those involved with St Peter’s but they are anxious that people still come in and appreciate the beauty of the place.
It houses the shrine of St Oliver Plunkett plus a part of the True Cross.
However, they are keen that people are aware of those around them when visiting and don’t leave items unattended.
There has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the church and that is also of concern to those who work there.
Remarkably, during the recent Fleadh Cheoil - when many thousands descended on St Peter’s - there was not one incident reported.
Church authorities are said to be disappointed that someone would steal from the altar.
They see the church as one of the major tourist attractions for the town and is a focal point of the community.