SVP poor box stolen from Cavan Town cathedral

The theft of the St Vincent de Paul box from the Cathedral of Ss Patrick and Felim last weekend has been described as “mean-spirited” by a curate attached to the cathedral.
Fr Ultan McGoohan is appealing for the return of the box, which would have contained both donations and letters of appeal from those in need of help throughout the parish.
The four-foot high box was removed some time on Sunday afternoon. It is the second such occasion that the box has been stolen. The first incident occurred almost 20 years ago but the then-culprit was caught walking down an avenue carrying it on his shoulder.
Speaking to the Celt this week, following the theft, Fr McGoohan felt that the person or persons who took the box may have felt it contained a lot of money.
However, he pointed out that it would have contained more letters for people seeking assistance from St Vincent de Paul than anything else.
“I would appeal to those responsible to return the letters if possible,” Fr McGoohan said.
“The theft could be quite distressing for those who left letters in the box and it would be most important for them to be returned. People do make donations and put them into the box but it would not generally be much,” said Fr McGoohan. Those who submitted letters to the box in the days before the theft are being asked to re-send their letters and post them in the letter box of the night shelter, just off Bridge Street, and they are assured that the letters will be attended to.
If anyone has information in connection with the theft of the box they should get in touch with Tom Byrne, president of the society, on 4331415, or the local gardaí.