Residents of a quiet Tipperary village were left utterly disgusted
this week when a public crib which has existed in the village for
decades was vandalised.
A public crib has existed beside Leugh National School and the local
grotto just three miles from Thurles town for decades when a local
committee instigated the idea and it has continued to be erected there
ever since.
However last week Thurles Gardaí told CINews that they have received
reports that one life-size figure from the crib was smashed while
figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph were removed from the crib
altogether.
News of the damage to the crib was announced at masses in Thurles
town as well as in surrounding parishes last Sunday where a heartfelt
plea was made by priests for the return of the figures from the crib
even if they were returned under the cover of darkness.
Gardaí in Thurles have appealed to anyone who may have noticed any
suspicious activity in the area just before New Year's Eve to contact
them.
They claim that they have received a number of calls from the
public who have expressed their absolute disgust at what has happened.
Gardaí have also claimed that because of the figures size and weight a
vehicle of some kind would have been required to remove them from the
crib.
The incident in Leugh is the second such crib desecration in as many
days.
Market Square in Portlaoise in County Laois was also damaged last
week but was restored and remained in place until January 6.
SIC: CIN/IE