Deplorable theft at killygarry church

Killygarry Church is the target of mean-spirited thieves who made off with almost €3,000 worth of floodlights from the church on Sunday night, May 17. The new lights had only been installed two and a half weeks before that; the previous set having been stolen in October of last year.

As this is the second time in eight months that the floodlights have been targeted, Fr Ultan McGoohan revealed that they are not covered by insurance for the theft on this occasion. Now the disheartened priest is wondering if there is any point in replacing the lights, when they may be stolen again.
“It is the worst possible crime to steal from a church and to steal from the grounds of a cemetery – it is a deplorable thing to have happened – I don’t think it will bring any good fortune to those who took the lights from Killygarry Church”, said Fr Ultan McGoohan.
Speaking to the Celt last week, he said that this was no random robbery. “It was professionally executed and it is understood that the raid was carried out in less than 20 minutes,” he said.
The four floodlights, which illuminated the quaint church on an elevated site on the Dublin Road, were bolted to a concrete base. Fr McGoohan explained that the thieves had to sever live electricity wires to each light and unscrew the bolts to release the light fixtures.
Gardaí are investigating. “They [the Gardaí] were very prompt about it. We will have to consider what we will do next. I think I would be anxious about replacing the lights at this stage,” Fr McGoohan said.
He added that the lights, if replaced, may have to be put in an elevated position.
“The local church committee will have to look at the possibilities to see what is feasible,” he said.
“Obviously they will not be covered when they were stolen the second time, so we are at a loss of €3,000,” said a dejected Fr McGoohan.
If lights are to be erected again the money would have to be raised. “There is not that much money around in the times that are in it. It is very disappointing from that point of view. The people of Killygarry are very proud of their church and people are very disappointed that this has happened,” said the priest.
The exact time of the robbery is not known but Fr McGoohan says that the church would have most likely been lit up.
“The lights go on shortly after 9pm at this time of the year. It gave the church a lovely aspect for people church as they travelled past on the Dublin Road at night. The church is on a fantastic elevated site and the lighting added enormously to the church,” he said.

Appeal
Fr McGoohan is urging people to keep an eye out around all churches and report anything suspicious.
“We have to be vigilant,” he warned.
A spokesman for Cavan Gardaí said they are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in or around Killygarry Church on last Sunday night week or that weekend to contact Cavan Garda Station on 049-4368800.