By Louise Doyle
THE Dean of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe has said parishioners have been left “deeply hurt” after a number of graves and headstones were damaged.
Eight headstones within the graveyard at St Eunan’s, The Diamond, were damaged, some having been broken while others were pulled out of the ground.
Gardaí are investigating the criminal damage incidents, which occurred between Tuesday, December 19, 2023 and Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Dean of St Eunan’s Cathedral, Rev Liz Fitzgerald (pictured) said there is widespread “disbelief” that something of such a nature could happen in a place of peace and sanctuary, where many of the community’s loved ones have been laid to rest.
“It was with shock and horror I received a phone call on Wednesday, to tell me of the damage that had occurred in the graveyard of St Eunan’s Cathedral, Raphoe.
“I was told initially that there were five damaged headstones and graves, after a full inspection a total of eight were found to have been disturbed. There was an element of disbelief that such a thing could happen in Raphoe.
“People were upset and annoyed, myself included – St Eunan’s Cathedral is a very old church dating back to the 1100s, and built on an ancient monastic site. There are ancient burials, and recent burials; history and the present lying side by side.
“Parents, grandparents, children – laid to rest in the shelter of the cathedral. It has been a place of peace and sanctuary over the centuries, a place that has been here seemingly forever, standing on the edge of the diamond in Raphoe. I hope and pray that this peace can be restored. The disrespect and hurt is deeply felt, not just by parishioners, but by the whole community.”
Rev Fitzgerald, who is Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Raphoe, Raymochy, and Clonleigh, praised An Garda Síochána for their quick response to the incident, and for their sensitivity and professionalism in their continuing investigation.
Meanwhile, gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the times in question and who had a dash cam to make the footage available to them.
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating criminal damage incidents that occurred in the graveyard at St. Eunan’s Cathedral, The Diamond, Raphoe between Tuesday, December 19 and Wednesday, January 3. Damage was caused to eight headstones within the graveyard between those dates. Some headstones were broken and others were pulled out of the ground.
“On Wednesday, January 3, between the times of 12.10pm and 2pm someone entered the graveyard and pushed over a headstone causing it to topple over.
“We appeal to anybody who may have any relevant information in relation to the above incidents to make contact with Gardaí in Letterkenny on (074) 9167100. We appreciate that the timeframe is quite long for the first number of incidents but we are hopeful that someone may recall seeing activity around the graveyard on Wednesday, January 3, between 12.10pm and 2pm. If anybody travelled in the area on that date between those times with a dash cam we ask them to make the footage available to us.”
The Garda Confidential line may be reached on 1800 666 111.
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