Colm Fitzpatrick
Virgin Mary Statue A parish priest has said he is “disappointed” that a local council have prioritised removing a statue of the Virgin Mary on land close to a planned goldmine, and that there should be a focus on the environmental impact of the development.
The eight-foot (2.4m) high statue is located in Greencastle on land where Canadian firm Dalradian Gold wants to open a mine and build a processing plant which will use cyanide to extract the precious metal from ore mined in the area.
Speaking to this newspaper, Tyrone-based priest Fr Edward Gallagher said: “I’m very disappointed that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council think it is a priority that a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary should be removed from the middle of the field at Crockanboy Hill.
“I hope the council, its officers, and other government agencies put the same time and energy into investigating those who plan on that same field a processing plant for a gold mine which includes the worrying use of cyanide.”
The statue was placed in the isolated place of Greencastle in April 2017, but despite an enforcement notice for its removal that was issued last year, it still remains in place. The statue also stands close to a Mass rock which some residents fear will be submerged in a pond if the development goes ahead.
Although some parishioners have objected to the mining plan on grounds that the area should be treated as a sacred place, Fr Gallagher noted that others are focused on its negative environmental impact.
“Many perceive this development as a threat to life and the environment rather than a threat to Faith,” he said.