Churches targeted in apparent acts of ‘devil worship’
At least three churches have been targeted in apparent acts of “devil worship”.
The three buildings were entered and all had the numbers ‘666’ written onto altar clothes, along with satanic symbols of triangular shapes inside circles.
The attacks took place on the churches in Moville, Malin, and Culdaff on the Inishowen Peninsula.
Rev Dr Jimmy McGrory, curate of Bocan in Culdaff, confirmed that his sacristan was shocked to find the graffiti.
He said the matter had been reported to gardaí.
Rev McGrory said he had informed his parishioners of the attack, saying he believed he had to be open with people.
However, he appealed to parishioners not to approach anybody suspected of being behind the attacks.
He said: “We’ve never had anything like this happen in Culdaff before. While I’m not unduly worried, I would urge anyone not to approach people they see hanging around the church.
“You just don’t know what might happen these days.”
He confirmed that gardaí from Carndonagh had visited the scene and were investigating the matter.
Priests at the other two churches have declined to comment on the attacks.
It is understood all the incidents happened late in the evening or early in the morning.
Local county councillor Martin McDermott said people are frustrated and nervous but that parishioners do not want it to come to the stage where churches are forced to close during the day.
“It is disgraceful and we would appeal to anyone who knows anything about these attacks to come forward.
“There have been a few incidents where there has been vandalism inside the churches,” he said.
“What we are looking for is if anyone is near these churches and has seen anybody there to contact the gardaí and let them know.
“It is quite worrying. There are always people on the road and if anyone has seen anyone who wouldn’t normally be there to let the authorities know that,”Mr McDermott added.
