Shocked Mass-goers find Kenmare church hit by graffiti

A pentagram type symbol and some black writing were sprayed on the wall of the 'iconic' church in Kenmare

Parishioners in Kenmare, Co Kerry arrived at mass to find their church had been defaced with red graffiti. Picture: Patrick O'Connor-Scarteen

Gardaí are investigating an act of criminal damage after parishioners in Kenmare, Co Kerry, arrived at Mass to find their church had been defaced with red graffiti under the cover of darkness.

Mass-goers on their way into the 9am service on Sunday morning arrived to find the left front of the limestone building destroyed with sprayed red paint, involving what appears to be a pentagon type symbol and black writing.

Parish priest Fr George Hayes has expressed his great upset and disappointment and says the parish is seeking advice on how to clean the building.

Local councillor Dan McCarthy has expressed his huge shock at the vandalism, saying nothing like this has ever happened previously.

He said generations of Kenmare people were baptised, married, and attended Holy Cross, which he said was “an iconic building”.

A pentagram type symbol and some black writing were sprayed on the wall by the entrance. Picture: Patrick O'Connor- Scarteen

Consecrated in 1864, the church is a symbol of hope after the pandemic and people were delighted when it reopened, he said.

“It is very hard to understand the reason for this,” Mr McCarthy said.

"It seemed designed to upset people going into Mass on a Sunday morning.

If there is someone crying out for help there are people who can provide help. There is great help for them. There is no need to take it out on that iconic building where people have worshiped for generations.

He has been contacted by people from far away who have offered to try and clean the building.

Gardaí are treating the matter as an act of criminal damage and are investigating.

In 2018, an accidental fire in the area of the organ caused extensive smoke damage.