Low-life thieves steal poor box from Cherry Orchard church

By Maurice Garvey

THREE young men staked out a place of worship and stole a money box from a church in Cherry Orchard.

The theft of the box and table it was attached to, occurred in a day chapel at the Church of the Most Holy Sacrament on June 8.

Located underneath the candles, the box did not contain much money as it had been emptied the previous week.

However, it is the nature of the sinister theft which has greatly upset parishioners and left a bad taste in the community.

Parish priest Fr Michael Murtagh, said the incident was reported to Ballyfermot gardai, and is captured clearly on CCTV cameras.

“They were in the church for half an hour beforehand, and took the money box in between school runs when it is quieter outside,” said Fr Michael.

“They brought the box and table with them over a back wall to try and open it. We emptied the box the week before, I’d say there was probably less than a fiver in it at the time.

“At the moment people can light the candles for free in the day chapel, so I guess it’s a blessing in disguise,” quipped Fr Michael.

No sign of the table had been found, despite the best efforts of parishioners to track it down.

Fr Michael continued: “A lot of parishioners are asking if there was any word on the candle money. We haven’t heard anything back from gardai.

“The day after the theft, we had a beautiful Communion celebration with St Ultan’s Primary School, and the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin was here. It is the joys of the ups and downs in life.”

Unfortunately, it is not the first time Cherry Orchard church has been robbed.

In November 2015, it’s front doors were kicked in by a thief who smashed every internal door (six), and stole microphones, portable speakers and a television.

After the incident was reported in The Echo, one man reportedly received a “good clip around the ear,” according to a local source, and most of the equipment was subsequently returned to the church within a matter of days.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Three males entered the church on June 8 and stole a money box at approximately 2.30pm. No arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station at 6667200.