AN appeal was issued last night for a replacement baby Jesus statue after vandals destroyed a city’s famous Christmas crib.
It was the second year in a row that figures in the traditional crib at the Lough wildlife sanctuary in Cork city were damaged.
The crib has been erected on the island at the centre of the Lough freshwater lake and public amenity every year for the last three decades.
Originally the idea of local parishioners, responsibility for erecting and managing it was taken over by Cork City Council.
It is now illuminated with Christmas lights, which are switched on by the Lord Mayor, and in recent years it has been enhanced with festive music.
Visiting the crib is a Christmas tradition for many Corkonians.
The crib has been erected on the island at the centre of the Lough freshwater lake and public amenity every year for the last three decades.
Originally the idea of local parishioners, responsibility for erecting and managing it was taken over by Cork City Council.
It is now illuminated with Christmas lights, which are switched on by the Lord Mayor, and in recent years it has been enhanced with festive music.
Visiting the crib is a Christmas tradition for many Corkonians.
But last year, vandals crossed the frozen lake waters and
stole the statue of the baby Jesus, and the crowns of the three wise
men.
Vandals struck again this year, after dark on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when the lake was again frozen.
Despite the fact that city workers used a digger to break the ice in places, the vandals managed to cross over to the island. They threw the statue of the baby Jesus around the island, and smashed it on the ice.
The incident was discovered on Sunday and city officials recovered some pieces of the statue but it was damaged beyond repair.
A spokesperson for the city council’s recreation and amenity department condemned the incident and said it is very upsetting that the crib would be desecrated in such a way.
"This is a lovely crib. It is there for people to enjoy it," he said. "We are not too concerned about the damage, but it is very upsetting the actions of a few would destroy the public’s enjoyment of what is a traditional part of Christmas in Cork."
He also said that city officials are finding it very difficult to source a replacement statue of the baby Jesus.
He said they have contacted several specialist suppliers in recent days but without success. It can take up to a year to source such crib figures and he appealed for anyone who could help to contact City Hall.
Figures in the life-size crib are up to two metres in height. The replacement statue would have to be at least 60 centimetres long.
The crib will be dismantled early next week.
Vandals struck again this year, after dark on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when the lake was again frozen.
Despite the fact that city workers used a digger to break the ice in places, the vandals managed to cross over to the island. They threw the statue of the baby Jesus around the island, and smashed it on the ice.
The incident was discovered on Sunday and city officials recovered some pieces of the statue but it was damaged beyond repair.
A spokesperson for the city council’s recreation and amenity department condemned the incident and said it is very upsetting that the crib would be desecrated in such a way.
"This is a lovely crib. It is there for people to enjoy it," he said. "We are not too concerned about the damage, but it is very upsetting the actions of a few would destroy the public’s enjoyment of what is a traditional part of Christmas in Cork."
He also said that city officials are finding it very difficult to source a replacement statue of the baby Jesus.
He said they have contacted several specialist suppliers in recent days but without success. It can take up to a year to source such crib figures and he appealed for anyone who could help to contact City Hall.
Figures in the life-size crib are up to two metres in height. The replacement statue would have to be at least 60 centimetres long.
The crib will be dismantled early next week.
SIC: IEX/IE