A CO Down retreat house has been targeted by vandals who broke into the grounds and destroyed a holy statue.
It is not the first time Tobar Mhuire on the Downpatrick Road in Crossgar has been targeted by anti-social elements.
During the latest incident, which took place in recent days, Tobar Mhuire said "several youths climbed over the closed gates on the main avenue and then again proceeded to climb over fences and gates into the walled prayer garden which we had just recently been renovating and preparing to open for the coming spring and summer.
"Several new small trees and plants placed in pots had been destroyed and also the Statue of Saint Patrick".
The Passionist community who live at the site said its "long-term goal is to have as many plants shrubs trees and fruit trees to bring back some of the small wildlife and attract the bees and birds to do our small part for a sustainable and contribute to the eco-system.
"We have continually over the past years been trying to improve our grounds so that they are a safe place for people to come and visit stay on retreat and also walk our grounds and trail."
However, the community said while it had been "expecting people to respect our privacy so we can focus on our work as passionists with our students and keep on top of the many missions that we have been involved in both home and abroad" this work is being "hindered as it is a costly business to keep having to repair and replace the damage to the property and to gates and other items.
"This is on top of the constant repair to our building from wear and tear. We hope that those involved in the damage will grow up and see the error of their ways".
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath described what had happened as an "absolutely disgraceful act of hatred and vandalism.
"This cannot go unchallenged," he said.
"The community at Tobar Mhuire have done everything they can to reach out to people in need.
"They deserved better than this".
