Press Releases30 Jun 04

Dublin rector appeals for return of stolen silver

DUBLIN RECTOR APPEALS FOR RETURN OF STOLEN SILVER

Sometime on Tuesday 29th June 2004, between 10.30am and 4pm, the vestry of St Andrew's Church, Malahide was entered, a metal safe was broken open and all the communion silver belonging to the Church and to St Doulagh's Church was removed from the premises in a brown shopping bag which was in the vestry.

The robbery was well planned and professionally executed. The Gardai at Malahide are investigating, but the parish appeals to anyone who might have any information to contact them or any Garda station.

The Rector, Rev Dr Norman Gamble, commented. "This is a very sad and distressing experience for the parishioners. Communion silver is dedicated to God for the sacramental life of the Church and those who committed this crime are engaged in the desecration of the holy.

"The perpetrators of this crime have absolutely no sense of the sacred. St Andrew's is a place of prayer, used during the day by people of all Christian traditions and probably none, for quiet prayer and reflection and it will be very sad if we are forced to take security measures which will bring an end to the openness of the Church as a house of prayer for all who pass by.

"I hope and trust that the Gardai will be able to apprehend those responsible and recover property which has great sentimental value to the parishioners far above any monetary value which may be placed on the items."