CLERGY HAVE warned church-goers to be on the alert following a spate of break-ins to Catholic churches in Offaly and Westmeath.
Parishioners
in Rahan, near Tullamore, Co Offaly, were told at the weekend that on
Tuesday night last, there were break-ins at St Patrick’s Church, The
Island, which forms part of the parish, as well as at Walshestown and
Meedin, Co Westmeath, which are also in the Meath diocese.
“Extensive
damage was caused in both Walshestown and Meedin,” the Rahan church
bulletin states, adding that chalices, ciboria and a safe were stolen.
At
St Patrick’s Church, the sacristy was ransacked while Adoration was
taking place, and the windows of a parishioner’s car were smashed in the
car park.
Fr John McEvoy of Rahan urged parishioners to ensure
their cars were locked, stating that last month a car was broken into
outside St Colman’s Church, Mucklagh.
He called on parishioners to be
extra vigilant as a car had also been broken into on Saturday night
outside Carthage Nursing Home, Mucklagh.
SIC: IT/IE