No room at the inn for 20ft statue of Jesus

NO ROOM at the inn is the message to Kerry councillors looking for a home for Jesus.

A spectacular 20-foot statue of Christ the King is causing controversy in Tralee as worried councillors desperately try to get him housed.

A site had been found for the statue at Ballymullen, near the town centre, but there was a spate of objections.

As reported in The Kerry’s Eye this week, 99% of people who contacted the paper about the statue don’t want it in Ballymullen.

It seems many residents are concerned the statue will offend other religions. It was also described as “tacky” and “outrageous”.

One person even suggested that residents of the caravans that regularly park in the area could use it to hang their washing.

The statue, given to Tralee Town Council a few years ago by a group of Ardfert residents, was intended to be in place as part of the town’s millennium celebrations, but repair work on the structure delayed the project. The statue began life in the Presentation Convent in Milltown, Co Kerry, and was recast by sculptor Liam Moore.

Councillor Norma Foley yesterday disputed claims that the statue has been rejected by locals.

“There has been no written objections to the statue and I honestly think that it’s mainly got a positive reaction,” she said.

The local clergy is also backing the statue’s claim to a patch of ground in Ballymullen.

“I think that tolerance works both ways and the symbol of Christianity is not offensive,” Monsignor Dan O’Riordan said.

“I don’t believe the opposition is significant, and those few who are against it are the ones most likely to pick up the phone,” he added.

Tralee Fianna Fail councillor Ted Fitzgerald said if the statue couldn’t stay in Ballymullen, then the council would find him another home.

“I’m sure we’ll get some place where everyone will be happy to have him. I’d say many estates would like a statue and a grotto could be built around it,” he said.