‘Sick individual’ soils prayer room

A CO Limerick parish priest told a shocked congregation that a person had used a prayer room in the church as a toilet.

Parishioners in the village of Murroe were told of the act of a “sick individual”.

Speaking at Mass in the Holy Rosary Church in Murroe, Fr Thomas Hearn condemned the incident.

It is understood someone defecated in a room in the church known to locals as the ‘prayer room’ last week.

The Holy Rosary Church is located in the heart of the village and this month celebrates its centenary.

More than 200 people attending the Mass were informed of the incident by Fr Hearne.

Parish Priest Fr Tom Ryan said: “It is a very sad day when you discover that this kind of thing is happening. What kind of a sick individual would do this?

“Is it any wonder that we now have to lock up churches after morning Masses, even in the quiet rural countryside. One can only feel absolute disgust when you see the house of God destroyed in this way.”

Locals who reported the incident said they were shocked and horrified.

One said: “Is any place safe at all. This is an absolutely disgusting act.”