The close-knit community of Omeath in north Louth is in shock after the shrines to St Anthony and in St Laurence’s Church were vandalised and donations stolen at the weekend.
It’s believed that an attempt was made to break open the collection box at the Shrine of St Mary on Friday and that the culprits returned with tools on Saturday afternoon.
They forced open the brass panel off the Shrine of St Anthony and made off with donations which people had left.
The local Cúchulainn Gaels GAA club condemned the incident saying that “sometimes when something happens in the village it shocks you, but what happened yesterday (Saturday) between 1pm and 5pm goes beyond that - it was downright disgusting…”
“Whoever done this should be ashamed of themselves and hopefully, someone can come forward with information that will lead to their arrest.”
Local Sinn Fein councillor Fiona Mhic Concoille described the vandalism of both shrines in St. Laurence’s as well as the theft of money from an honesty box for free-range eggs at Chapel Hill as “deeply concerning” which has “understandably affected our close-knit community of Omeath. It is essential that we come together in response to these actions.”
The incident at church on Saturday afternoon happened when much of the village was without electricity following Storm Darragh,
Garda confirmed that they are investing a theft which occurred at Omeath, on Saturday, December 7.
“No arrests have been made at this time. Investigations ongoing,” said a spokesperson.