A Secondary School in County Mayo has appealed for information after extensive vandalism at its convent and chapel, with religious artefacts, sacred images, stained-glass windows and furnishings damaged.
Our Lady’s Secondary School in Belmullet in north-west Mayo said on Friday that the vandalism had been met with great sadness and disappointment.
A statement was released on social media on Friday by the school’s principal, Edmund Holmes.
“We are particularly dismayed to think that people among us could desecrate our beautiful chapel, where religious artefacts, sacred images, stained-glass windows and furnishings have been damaged, and parts of the chapel left in a shocking state of destruction,” the school said in a social media post signed off by Mr Holmes, as it shared photos of the damage.
“This building is much more than bricks and mortar. It is an important part of the history and heritage of Belmullet and the wider Erris community, holding special memories for generations of students, families, staff and the religious sisters who dedicated so much of their lives to education in our community.
“To see such a cherished part of our school’s history treated with such disregard is deeply disappointing.”
Hundreds of people in the comments shared their upset at the “shocking” and “incomprehensible” attack.
“So sad, we went to mass as kids there on Christmas Eve for years Such a special church,” wrote one person.
“This is horrible to see, so many special memories here, for a lot of people over the years,” said another past pupil.
In a social media post, the school said it was “not simply an act of vandalism against our school,” but an attack on a place of great historical, cultural and spiritual significance to our entire community.
“We are now appealing to the public for assistance,” said the school.
The statement urged anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in or around the school, convent or chapel in recent weeks, or has any information that might help identify those responsible, to contact the school authorities or An Garda Síochána.
“No piece of information is too small, and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
“We know that the overwhelming majority of people in our community share our respect for these buildings and the important place they hold in our local heritage.
“We cannot allow such destruction to go unchallenged. These buildings and their history belong to our community, and we all have a responsibility to protect them for future generations.”
The nearby St. Brendan’s College in Belmullet condemned the attack on the convent and chapel.
“These buildings hold a special place in the history of education in our locality and are part of a shared heritage that belongs to generations of families, students, teachers and religious sisters who have contributed so much to our community,” said principal Michael Walshe.
Mr Walshe described the attack as “deeply upsetting”.
“Such wanton destruction is completely unacceptable and represents a profound lack of respect for our shared history and heritage.
“We stand in solidarity with the school community of Our Lady’s Secondary School and support their appeal for information. We would encourage anyone who may have information that could assist in identifying those responsible to come forward and contact the school or An Garda Síochána.”