Outrage as Lifford church is attacked for the third time in six weeks

Vandals have targeted a church in Lifford for the third time in six weeks.

The thugs broke in through the front door of Clonleigh Church and wreaked havoc in the vestry, where they broke glass on pictures of former clergy and threw vestments and linens on the floor. They then broke out of the back door of the vestry, tore down a stone wall, and used a large stone to try, without success, to break into the safe.

Local Cllr. Gerry Crawford, who visited the church over the weekend, said the vandals even tried to set fire to it. “It was quite obvious that these people tried to set fire to the back door of the church,” he told the Donegal People’s Press yesterday.

“The Church of St. Lugadius, to use its proper name, was originally built in 1621 and then extended and renovated in the mid-19th century. It’s a listed building and a Recorded Structure, and one of the most historic buildings in Lifford.

“The people of Lifford are angry and upset that someone would carry out such an attack on a sacred and important building. I would appeal to those who did this, whoever they are, to stop before something even more serious happens.”

READ THE FULL STORY IN TODAY’S DONEGAL DEMOCRAT AND DONEGAL PEOPLE’S PRESS.