Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pair on affray charges over Meli death
Callous thieves nab £40k bronze figure
A BRONZE statue of Jesus nabbed by opportunistic thieves in Belfast is worth as much as £40,000.
The 8ft tall figure was stolen from the Church of the Resurrection on the Cavehill Road in North Belfast.
The culprits also tried to steal two bronze doors, also worth £40,000, which were later recovered damaged from the church grounds.
Fr Eddie Mcgee told the Mirror: “Within the grounds of the parish there was a large bronze statue.
“It was moved inside the church but last week when the caretaker went to visit the church he noticed it had been broken into and saw the statue had been stolen.
“It was also noticed at that stage bronze doors at the church had also been removed.
“The doors were located but they were significantly damaged.
“The statue was taken, it seems, for its monetary value given it was bronze – and not any artistic value. It was distinctive and well-known in the area and by the parishioners who attended the church.
“The reaction I’ve heard from the ground is that it’s caused grave upset for the parishioners and the wider community.”
Police said they are investigating the incident.
A spokesman added: “Some time over the last few weeks, an 8ft tall bronze statue of Jesus was stolen from inside the Church of the Resurrection on the Cavehill Road.
“At the same time, large bronze doors were taken off the hinges and cut up.
“They were worth £40,000 and were commissioned specially for the church. They have been irreparably damaged.
“If anyone has any information in relation to the missing statue please contact Police on 101 quoting serial 1318 of 01/03/19.”
The church was closed in 2008 and is one of three within the parish of the Holy Family in North Belfast. TWO more people are to stand trial on offences arising out of the death of Christopher Meli.
The dad of one was beaten to death in Twinbrook, West Belfast, in 2015.
Daniel Mcmanus, 19, of Springbank Drive and 20-year-old Shannon Mcilwaine, of Glenalina Park appeared in Belfast Crown Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Colton acknowledged they were not accused of engaging in violence on the night of the murder but concluded “that their conduct taken at its height is sufficient to put each of the defendants on trial for affray”.
Mcmanus and Mcilwaine pleaded not guilty and were released on bail until their trial starts on September 9.