Church left with €50,000 bill as vandals smash 104 panes of glass

GARDAÍ are investigating after 104 panes of glass were smashed at a church in Co Offaly.

The incident at St Catherine’s Church of Ireland in Tullamore is believed to have happened between Monday and Wednesday morning.

Between replacing the panes and installing CCTV and other security measures, it is believed the church will now be left with a bill of around €50,000.

Rector Isaac Delamere believes the damage, which was discovered on Wednesday afternoon, was an act of mindless vandalism rather than a targeted or sectarian attack.

He is thankful that the stained glass windows, which are protected by wire mesh grills, were not damaged.

Rev Delamere was shocked and saddened by the damage. “It would have taken a good bit of time. There’s 104 panes of glass broken and there is slivers of glass scattered throughout the church and it is sad to see,” he said. Gardaí from Tullamore are investigating.