A parish priest has expressed his shock and disappointment after thieves broke into a church sacristy on Christmas Day and scattered sacred vessels on the ground before stealing €5,000.
The majority of the money, it is understood, was made up of Christmas dues.
“It is shocking, absolutely. Nothing is sacred any more,” said Fr Joseph Shire, Ballyagran, Co Limerick.
Gardaí say the break-in at Ballyagran Church took place between 12.30pm on Christmas Day and 9am on St Stephen’s Day.