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Children aged as young as eight set off flare inside west Belfast church

Fr Noel Kehoe at St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery, west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Fr Noel Kehoe at St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery, west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell. Fr Noel Kehoe at St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery, west Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell.

A WEST Belfast priest has questioned the "guidance" being given to young people after youngsters as young as eight set off a flare inside a Catholic church, causing damage to a sacred shrine.

Fr Noel Kehoe, Rector of Clonard Monastery, told how a group of five youngsters - aged between eight and 12 - walked into the church and lit a flare at the altar dedicated to St Gerard.

Scorch damage was caused to the mosaic floor of the 100 year-old shrine, as red smoke filled the church.

The attack happened last Friday in full view of visitors to the church, which is due to host its annual Novena on June 14.

Minutes earlier the same group set off a flare in the nearby Clonard Youth centre.

The culprits, who were caught on CCTV, did not cover their faces.

The incident comes months after youngsters were also blamed for targeting the church.

Scorch damage caused to St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery when youths let off a flare. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Scorch damage caused to St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery when youths let off a flare. Picture by Hugh Russell. Scorch damage caused to St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery when youths let off a flare. Picture by Hugh Russell.

Last November six original windows at the monastery, which was built in 1896, were smashed in deliberate attacks.

During the same incident vandals destroyed the garden and smashed windows in the green house.

Cars visiting the monastery were also targeted by stone throwers in an apparent upsurge in anti-social behaviour.

In 2015 a church worker was robbed of her takings during a robbery at Clonard as Mass was being celebrated next door.

The woman was in the reception shop when confronted by a man brandishing a pair of scissors. He made off with a sum of cash.

Fr Kehoe said the community had been left "disgusted" by the latest attack at the shrine to St Gerard, the patron saint of expectant mothers.

Youths let off a flare at St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery in west Belfast causing scorch damage. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Youths let off a flare at St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery in west Belfast causing scorch damage. Picture by Hugh Russell. Youths let off a flare at St Gerard's Shrine inside Clonard Monastery in west Belfast causing scorch damage. Picture by Hugh Russell.

The attack also comes amid wider concerns about the growing levels of anti-social behaviour in the Falls Road area in recent times.

In the most high profile incident a would-be street robber was captured on camera trying to steal a French visitor's photographic equipment near the International Wall in Albert Street in the lower Falls.

The incident prompted residents to take to the streets demanding an end to anti-social behaviour.

Speaking about the latest attack on the church, Fr Kehoe said those who set off the flare were "completely brazen".

"There's the damage to the church," he said, "but more importantly it is the increasing anti-social behaviour in the area which is leaving people feeling terrified."

Fr Kehoe questioned if parents knew where their children were when unsupervised.

A flare was also set off inside Clonard Youth Centre. Picture by Hugh Russell.
A flare was also set off inside Clonard Youth Centre. Picture by Hugh Russell. A flare was also set off inside Clonard Youth Centre. Picture by Hugh Russell.

"The fact that St Gerard is the patron saint of children, the question would be, what guidance are these kids getting?

"Where are their parents? Do these people know where their children are and what they are doing? Do they know what they are doing is hurting people," he said.

"As a community, we need to be concerned about, not the damage but, the children.

"They are not criminals, they are children, who should be playing ball on a nice, sunny day. How did they come into possession of flares?

"If flares are available in the community, are parents aware they are falling into the hands of children?"

Fr Kehoe said people were "disgusted" by what happened but added: "Thank goodness no one was hurt".

Chairman of Clonard Residents Association Sean Murray described developments as "unbelievable" saying those involved had "no fear".

"They didn't run, they walked away," he said. "The fact that this happened inside a church and inside a youth club, is unbelievable, especially people that age group.

"I would call on parents to know exactly where their children are and the type of activity they are at,"