Star Metro - Mayo school appeals for information after convent and chapel vandalism

THE PRINCIPAL of a secondary school in Co. Mayo has appealed for information after the school's convent and chapel was grievously vandalised. Edmund Holmes stated the destruction at Our Lady's Secondary School in Belmullet was 'an attack on a place of great historical, cultural and spiritual significance to our entire community'.

After sharing pictures of the vandalism, he has now urged anyone with information on who may be responsible to contact gardaí. 'Shocking state of destruction'

In a post on the school's Facebook page, Mr Holmes stated he discovered the shocking scene in the convent and chapel when he arrived at work on Friday morning. Pews, the altar and lectern were upturned and daubed with paint, flowers and decorations were pulled down and strewn around while pictures, windows, doors and equipment were smashed.

"We are particularly dismayed to think that individuals among us could desecrate our beautiful chapel, where religious artefacts, sacred images, stained-glass windows and furnishings have been damaged and parts of the chapel left in a shocking state of destruction," he wrote. "This building is much over bricks and mortar. It is an important part of the history and heritage of Belmullet and the wider Erris community, holding special memories for generations of students, families, staff and the religious sisters who dedicated so much of their lives to education in our community.

"To see such a cherished part of our school's history treated with such disregard is deeply disappointing. "This is not simply an act of vandalism against our school. It is an attack on a place of great historical, cultural and spiritual significance to our entire community."

Mr Holmes urged anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in or around the school, convent or chapel in recent weeks to contact the school authorities or An Garda Síochána. "We know that the overwhelming majority of individuals in our community share our respect for these buildings and the important place they hold in our local heritage," he added.

"We cannot allow such destruction to go unchallenged. These buildings and their history belong to our community and we all have a responsibility to protect them for future generations." Our Lady's dates back to the early 1920s when Sisters of Mercy from Ballina, who had previously cared for individuals in the Belmullet workhouse, opened a school in the area.

After first starting a commercial and music school and later a private junior school, a secondary school was opened in 1943. Sister Catherine McGoohan was brought in to take charge of the new establishment, assisted by Sister Annunciata Browne and Sister Aquinas McNulty, with the three teaching at the school until 2002.

The site has remained expanded and new facilities added over the decades, with then Taoiseach and Co. Mayo native Enda Kenny opening a new building in 2015. Everything from irishpost.com and the print edition is available on the Irish Post App — plus more! Download it for Android or Apple IOS devices today.

14 hours ago News Two more individuals arrested in connection with suspected murder of Limerick woman Carrie Mullane By: Gerard Donaghy Two more individuals arrested in connection with suspected murder of Limerick woman Carrie Mullane

17 hours ago Business Construction firm Sisk raises over £200,000 for London-based charities By: Gerard Donaghy Construction firm Sisk raises over £200,000 for London-based charities

20 hours ago News Police officers meet baby they helped deliver in back of car in Co. Antrim By: Gerard Donaghy Police officers meet baby they helped deliver in back of car in Co. Antrim

21 hours ago News Police appeal for information on man missing after travelling from England to Belfast By: Gerard Donaghy Police appeal for information on man missing after travelling from England to Belfast

22 hours ago News Sinn Féin MLA condemns reports of sectarian gestures from loyalist bandsmen at scene of massacre By: Gerard Donaghy Sinn Féin MLA condemns reports of sectarian gestures from loyalist bandsmen at scene of massacre

23 hours ago News Boy, 6, is fifth person to die following Co. Waterford arson attack By: Gerard Donaghy Boy, 6, is fifth person to die following Co. Waterford arson attack

1 day ago News Elderly man dies days after Co. Dublin collision By: Gerard Donaghy Elderly man dies days after Co. Dublin collision

1 day ago News Man must serve at least 20 years for murder of pregnant mother-of-two in Co. Down By: Gerard Donaghy Man must serve at least 20 years for murder of pregnant mother-of-two in Co. Down

1 day ago Comment Strabane’s culture deserves its moment By: Malachi O'Doherty Strabane’s culture deserves its moment

Young woman dies, two individuals injured, after collision in Co. Mayo By: Gerard Donaghy - 3 years ago

Molloy prepares for Wembley bout as Galway homecoming plans take shape By: Grainne Conroy - 2 days ago

Ireland’s final peacekeeping troop prepares to head for Lebanon The plain individuals and the privileged few

The Irish doctor whose war did not end with the Armistice By: Brian McNamara - 2 days ago

Darina Allen helps showcase best of Irish food in India

S.Clark--SMC