Church 'violated' in theft attack

Fr O'Reilly discovered the thefts on Sunday morning

A church's cash collections have been stolen and handmade banners daubed with paint in a Sunday morning burglary.

Father Lorcan O'Reilly said it was a "violation" of St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Holyhead, Anglesey.

There were thousands of pounds worth of damage after paint was thrown over a sound system in the church and a font was smashed.

North Wales Police are appealing for information and witnesses and studying CCTV images.

Fr O'Reilly said: "It was a shock, there is a sense of disappointment in two aspects. There is a sense of the sacred space being violated... and also one of disappointment.

"This is a parish which has a long history of outreach work. Food has been also been taken and a collection for the Lighthouse project for the homeless.

One of the things quite striking about it has been the level of support from the local community Father Lorcan O'Reilly

"Money was also taken from our overseas appeal. We have an appeal for Aids orphans in Africa," he said.

Rev Fr O'Reilly said: "We just went over on Sunday to prepare and found the chaos.

"There was paint over the sound system which will cost £4,000 and they poured white spirit or turpentine over the altar.

"They broke the money boxes which were fixed to the floor."

Paint was daubed inside the church

He said many local people had been in touch after hearing the news about the break-in.

"One of the things quite striking about it has been the level of support from the local community. Holyhead Town Council has also been very supportive," he added.

It is the second time in recent weeks that a church in Wales has been targeted.

In March vandals threw paint at walls, destroyed pews, pushed out a 12ft tall window and smashed the 200-year-old pulpit at Gellionnen Chapel, near Pontardawe.

Police are asking anyone who has information to contact them on 0845 607 1002 (English language line), 0845 607 1001 (Welsh language) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.