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Six windows at Cloghogue Chapel have been smashed in an incident that took place in the early hours of yesterday morning, 13 January. The stained glass windows will take many thousands of pounds to repair. Windows in an outside toilet were also smashed.
Police are appealing for information following the damage. Inspector Kelly Gibson said: “We received a report around 9am on Friday, 13th January that six windows in the church and four of an outside toilet had been smashed overnight.
“The windows require specialist repair and it will take a significant amount of time to fix the damage, which is expected to cost in the region of many thousands of pounds.
“We would appeal to anyone with information in relation to this incident, or who may have noticed any suspicious behaviour in the area between Thursday 12th January at midnight and Friday 13th January at 8am to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 310 of 13/01/23. A report can also be made online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
Couincil Chairperson Michael Savage and Cllr Gavin Malone both met with the Parish Priest Fr Naughton today.
Cllr Savage said "I met with our Parish Priest Father Naughton this evening to offer my sympathies following the vandalism to the windows of our beautiful Sacred Heart Church, Cloughoge on Friday night. I told Father Naughton that he has the support of people of our parish and the wider Newry community. This was wanton vandalism on a church that means so much to all of us. I would ask anyone who noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the church on Friday night to please contact the PSNI on 101 with any information they may have.
Cllr Gavin Malone added "Last night, a person or persons unknown desecrated the Church of the Sacred Heart, Cloughogue which is the Parish Church of Upper Killeavy. In a mindless, wanton and unwarranted attack, six beautiful ornate stained glass windows were smashed along with four windows in an outside toilet block. Today I have spoken to the Parish Priest Fr. Richard Naughton and he is in a state of shock that such a vile act could be directed against this landmark church which was opened on Easter Sunday 1916.
"The church was completely refurbished to mark the Centenary in 2016 and over £1 million was expended. The cost of repairs will run into many thousands of pounds as the work will need to be undertaken by specialists. The glass originated in Germany. This criminality replicates the mindless attack on the stained glass windows of the Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church on Hill Street a couple of years ago. That was wrong just like this current crime.
"I reassured Fr Naughton that the community stands with him and totally and absolutely condemns the vile and disgusting attack on this beautiful church which means so much to so many. I would appeal to anyone who may have some information, no matter how small, to bring it to the relevant authorities.Ours is a truly marvellous and very generous community as we recently saw over the Christmas period . I unreservedly condemn this abominable act and those who carried it out last night."
Newry City Councillor Cathal King encouraged anyone with any information to bring it forward to the police.
