Holycross Abbey, Thurles.
Thurles Gardaí are investigating the theft of two priceless religious artefact’s from Holycross Abbey yesterday evening (11/10/2011.)
Two persons, their faces covered, armed with a portable angle grinder and other tools entered Holycross Abbey at about 5.00pm yesterday.
The artefact’s taken, were a 14th century silver cross approximately 12 inches in height, hanging from a chain and containing two crosses and two dark stones and a cross described as being 12 inches in height, standing on its own base and made from gold and bronze.
Both thieves left the scene a short time later and were observed getting into a wine or red VW Touareg vehicle, with the partial registration number 06 OY or 06 LK driven by a third party.
This jeep headed toward Yellow Lough area and was later discovered set alight. A dark coloured saloon car was observed in the vicinity of the burnt out vehicle.
Gardaí would like anybody with any information, to contact them immediately and are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Thurles Garda station at Tel: 0504 25100.
The Holy Cross Abbey (Mainistir na Croise Naofa) is a beautifully restored Cistercian monastery in the village of Holycross, five miles from Thurles town. Situated on the River Suir (Abhainn na Siúire) this Abbey takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood. The fragment of that Holy Rood was brought to Ireland by the French Plantagenet Queen Isabella of Angouleme, in approximately 1233.
It must be Aliens who robbed in Holycross.
Are humans really gone to that.
Sign of the times. Awful to think that there are now Irish people who have no respect for other people’s possessions or religious artefacts. Now every church is now under threat for similar attacks. Sadly there is a likelihood these crosses will be melted down for their metal value.
Will Enda condone this attack on the church….probably not.