Cathedral is targeted by thieves

BY JACKIE KEOGH 

A SUM of €3,000 was stolen from a locked safe in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Skibbereen after a weekend break-in. 

Local gardai have appealed to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious between 8pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday, October 2nd to contact them on 028 23088, or on 1800 666111.

Gardaí carried out an examination of the scene shortly after the robbery was discovered by the sacristan and they are also examining CCTV footage throughout the town.

Fr Chris O’Donovan told The Southern Star that both he and Fr Michael Kelleher are appreciative of the fact that so many people have contacted them to offer help.

Fr O’Donovan confirmed that the church was closed at 6.30pm on Sunday and reopened at 7.45am and he also appealed to anyone who heard or saw anything between those two times to contact the gardaí. The robbers gained access through the Blessed Sacrament  Chapel, on the town side of the cathedral, and damaged both the entrance door and the sacristy door in the process.

Fr O’Donovan said: ‘Some of our older parishioners are naturally upset, but we are delighted that no one was hurt. Money is replaceable.’