Parishioners alerted after break-ins

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.

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