GARDAÍ IN County Tipperary have issued a renewed appeal for information after the head of a 108-year-old statue was removed by vandals.
The vandalism took place at some point between 6.30pm on Wednesday 26th of June and 6.30am on Thursday 28th of June this year, but so far the head has not been recovered and no arrests have been made.
Gardaí are seeking information in relation to the criminal damage which saw the head removed from a statue of Archbishop Patrick Leahy on the grounds of the Cathedral of Assumption, Thurles, County Tipperary.
Archbishop Leahy was born in Thurles in 1806 and was buried on the grounds upon his death in 1875. The statue was erected in his memory in 1911.
The statue, which stands at the front of the cathedral, has stood for one hundred years on the historically significant Roman Catholic place of worship, and caused widespread condemnation-- and indeed confusion-- when the initial vandalism took place over the summer.
The statue of Archbishop Patrick Leahy at Thurles Cathedral is a bloody big one. 25ft high according to Tipp Star.
How (and why!) did someone get the head off it and no one see anything?
Looks sad with the sheet over it now.
This is our Luke Kelly. pic.twitter.com/7sRgVjTX0g— Damian Cullen (@Damian_Cullen) June 28, 2019
Gardaí are now urging anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Cathesral between the 26th and the 28th of June 2019 who may have noticved any unusual activity or any details which can assist the investigation to come forward,.
Anyone with anyinformation can contact Thurles Garda Station on 0504 - 2511, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
