Religious statues graffitied in Mitchelstown

Three religious statues that were defaced with graffiti in Mitchelstown in recent weeks have been cleaned and are due to be repainted soon.

The ‘Calvary’ display at the cemetery on Church Hill was defaced with black graffiti on St Patrick’s night, or that weekend. Graffiti in a similar style was also witnessed on the outside wall of the cemetery, and is understood to have been around the area of the entrance to CBS as well.

The three statues are placed together, and depict Jesus on the cross with two figures beneath. The figures were daubed with black pigment in the eyes, mouth, and at least two featured phallic drawings. Another similar drawing is still on the wall this week at the entrance by the Dairygold grainstore.

Speaking with TheAvondhu, Canon Leamy said that it was ‘upsetting’ for some people, but with the aid of acid much of the damage has been undone and repainting is planned. Attributing the act to ‘blackguarding’ rather than an act of maliciousness, he also said that this was an isolated incident, and the first he was aware of since he came to the parish three and a half years ago.