Teen caught for ‘disgraceful’ vandalism of Dublin monastery

A teenager is being processed by gardaí in connection with the vandalism of a church at a convent in Dublin, during which offensive slurs were allegedly levelled at the contemplative nuns that worship there.

There is still an open investigation into the serious incident which occurred at the Star of the Sea Carmellite monastery at Seapark Hill in Malahide.

It is believed a gang of youths gained entry to the premises and vandalised the church with graffiti at about 1.15pm on November 11.

So far only one person is being processed through the State’s juvenile referral programme, which aims to prevent young offenders from entering into the full criminal justice system.

The news was announced to parishioners by Co-PP Fr Jimmy McPartland during 10am Mass in St Anne’s Church in Portmarnock, who said the sister’s place of worship had been desecrated.

On the sister’s website it states that “members of the local community are welcome to join the sisters for prayer”, with a morning Mass held every day. However, it is believed the church was closed for a period after the incident.

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Fr Jimmy reportedly warned Massgoers that they wouldn’t be able to access the chapel as freely from now on as it would need to be locked in future.

A Garda spokeswoman told this paper: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of minor criminal damage that occurred at a Church in Seapark Hill, Malahide, Dublin on Monday November 11, 2019 at approximately 1.15pm. A youth male in his teens is being processed by way of the Juvenile Referral Programme.”

They added that “investigations are ongoing”, which may imply they are still looking for other perpetrators.

Speaking to Dublin Live, Local TD Darragh O’Brien described the incident as “disgraceful” and said it demonstrated the need to reopen Malahide Garda Station on a 24/7 basis.

“Any vandalism is bad but on a group of elderly nuns is disgraceful. Unfortunately we’ve become used to burglaries and break-ins in the area, but this type of violation of a monastery – to desecrate a religious building – is shocking.

“The effect this has on a group of lovely women – most of whom are elderly – will disgust people in the area,” he said.