A Church of Ireland community outside Falcarragh has today sent out a message of forgiveness to vandals who attacked and damaged graves at the weekend.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, gravestones in St Paul’s Churchyard, Ray were damaged. Gardai were called, and a number of people were arrested and charged.
The issue was highlighted by local community activist and Udaras na Gaeltacht Board Member John Curran, who said it was a shame that in a week full of community celebrations for Proclamation Day and St Patrick’s Day, this is the end result of a general lack of respect within sectors of our community.
He says as a community, everyone should show solidarity with their neighbours, and today welcomed the statement issued by the church this morning…………
Statement issued this morning –
“The Rector and Parishioners of St Paul’s, Raymunterdoney are thankful for the overwhelming show of support from the local community following vandalism in our churchyard.
This was an isolated and random incident, the root of which we are told was drug related. We are thankful to the Gardaí for their sensitive and kind handling of the situation. While it is very upsetting, especially for the families affected, we fully forgive those who caused the damage.
God’s love knows no bounds and with hearts filled with love we prayed for them at our Service this morning and we keep them in our prayers, that whatever is amiss in their lives may be healed”.
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