A church and graveyard in south Kilkenny have been attacked by vandals who caused thousands of euro worth of damage.
Parishioners in Piltown are reeling over the vandalism.
The Calvary statue depicting Jesus dying on the Cross was damaged and the front door of the Church of the Assumption was doused in red paint.
The graves of two priests were also targeted in vandalism, which was described as “despicable” and “cowardly”.
Parish priest Fr Pascal Moore condemned the attack saying that parishioners were “horrified” by it.
“Whoever did this came well prepared in the cover of darkness,” said Fr Moore. “I am numbed by it and find it hard to find the words. It is despicable and I am sickened by it. It is a horrendous and cowardly act.
“Volunteers worked on Friday to remove the paint and the damage done to the graves will be restored.
“The people of the parish are in complete shock and there is a lot of anger over it. It is also extremely distressing for the families of the deceased people whose graves were attacked.”
Gardaí in Mooncoin are investigating the incident.