Local shock at church vandalism
Rampage causes €70k damage
GARDAÍ in Clifden have issued an appeal for witnesses after a small rural church was seriously damaged by vandals.
The Church of Ireland place of worship on the remote Errislannan peninsula in Connemara, which is mainly used during the summer months, was attacked by vandals in recent days.
The damage to the church has shocked the local community and Canon Stan Evans, who is charge of the parishes of Errislannan, Clifden, Roundstone and Moyard, said it was clear that it was a calculated attack.
He said he was shocked by the ‘stupid’ and ‘calculated’ vandalism that left the church almost to the point of the ruin.
It could take up to €70,000 to bring the Holy Trinity Church back to its former state following the attack.
Errislannan is located outside Clifden in Connemara, approximately 85km from Galway city, along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Canon Evans said that the entire interior of the church was ruined, with windows smashed, all the electric fittings ripped out of the walls, and the pulpit, pews and organ all destroyed.
‘It’s just firewood,’ Canon Evans said. ‘I have never seen anything like it. This is the worst experience I have ever had during my ministry, it’s horrendous.
‘The place was in such shock. It was absolutely stupid vandalism but when you look at it, it was calculated. Every pew was turned over and smashed. Everything that was special in the place has been completely desecrated.
‘We don’t know when it was vandalised, but it was within the last three or four days. I had been past the church the day before and from the roadside you wouldn’t see any damage at all.’
The church has up to 30 regular parishioners and hosts evening services during July and August. But it is a visitor attraction for tourists throughout the year, due to its location.
The vandalism was discovered on Wednesday lunchtime when local parishioner Roger Bewley called to the church. He notified Canon Evans who was in Galway at the time. Despite the massive setback, Canon Evans said the community will bounce back and defy those who damaged their beloved church.
‘This is only the material, the people are the most important thing. We have the parishioners. This church will be up and running for next summer most definitely,’ Canon Evans said.
‘We work together as one community. We are absolutely at one with our Catholic neighbours. The (Catholic) parish priest, Fr James Ronayne, stands beside us. We do everything as one here and he is hurting as much as I am.’