Irish churches fall victim to wave of robberies

Churches and presbyteries in County Louth, in the Republic of Ireland, have been hit by a spate of robberies they believe are being carried out by a gang of thieves from across the border in Northern Ireland.

In one incident, thieves stole candelabra worth more than £1,500 from St Oliver Plunkett's Church in Blackrock, whilst thieves attempting to steal coin donations damaged two more candelabra from St Fursey's Church, according to Irish Christian webportal ciNews.

Last month, money was stolen from two shrines at Kilkerley Church and, back in Northern Ireland, one gang abandoned a break-in at Dromintree, County Armagh, when they saw a parishioner taking down their car registration number.

Fr Oliver Brennan, a parish priest in Louth, is asking parishioners to be on their guard and report any strange activity to police.

According to ciNews, Fr Brennan said it was "amazing" that the candelabra could be taken from the church in broad daylight.

There have been further break-ins in County Meath this month, with churches in Kilskyre and Ballinlough suffering damage to their walls when intruders unsuccessfully attempted to remove offertory boxes.

Naas parish priest Fr Thomas McDonnell came home, meanwhile, to find two burglars running out the door with a sum of money.