Northern Ireland

Vandals targeted church close to where Virgin Mary statue was desecrated

The statue of the Virgin Mary which was attacked in Greencastle, Co Tyrone
The statue of the Virgin Mary which was attacked in Greencastle, Co Tyrone The statue of the Virgin Mary which was attacked in Greencastle, Co Tyrone

VANDALS also targeted a Catholic church in Co Tyrone close to where a statue of the Virgin Mary was desecrated, it has emerged.

It is understood graffiti was scrawled on Our Lady of the Wayside Church at Broughderg.

It happened several days before the statue was targeted in nearby Greencastle at the weekend.

A police spokesman has said the attack on the statute is believed to have taken place overnight between Saturday and Sunday and is being treated as a hate crime.

The Irish News understands that the attack on the church, which is in the same parish, was not sectarian in nature.

It is believed that when the graffiti was discovered, a cover was erected to shield it from public view but has since been removed.

The church sits close to an isolated roadway in the Sperrin Mountains between Greencastle and Draperstown.

There was shock after the word 'whore' was scrawled on the eight-foot-high statue of the Virgin Mary which was erected last year near a Mass rock at Crockanboy Hill.

In a message posted on the Greencastle parish website, Fr Edward Gallagher urged people to pray for those behind the attacks.

“The attack this weekend on the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Crockanboy Hill is an attack on everyone in this community who believe in decency and tolerance,” he said.

“It follows a similar incident at Our Lady of the Wayside Church, Broughderg, in this parish last weekend.

“We should react by praying through the intercession of the same Blessed Virgin Mary for the conversion of those responsible and an end to attacks on all that the people of Greencastle parish hold dear.”

The area has been at the centre of controversy in recent years over plans by Canadian firm Dalradian Gold to develop a mine and processing plant, which will use cyanide to remove the precious metal from locally mined ore.

Some locals are opposed to the plan on health and environmental grounds, while the firm insists it will minimise impacts on the environment and wildlife.

There are also concerns that a Mass rock site could be under threat if Dalradan's plans get the go-ahead.

The firm has previously refused to allow Mass to be said at the rock, claiming there is no evidence the sacramental stone exists.

In May this year a nightly Rosary crusade was held close to the rock and nearby statue and last month several hundred people took part in a parade in the area organised by the Ancient Order of Hibernians.