A MAN WAS REMANDED IN CUSTODY AFTER APPEARING IN COURT IN MULLINGAR TODAY CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH TWO INCIDENTS OF THEFT FROM MASS GOERS IN BALLINDINE CHURCH YESTERDAY. A WOMAN’S HANDBAG AND ITS CONTENT TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER WOMAN’S PURSE AND CONTENTS WERE TAKEN AT COMMUNION TIME DURING 12 O’CLOCK SUNDAY MASS.

A  MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD ENTERED THE CHURCH DURING THE CONSECRATION, WERE IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED AS MISSING ONCE THE ITEMS WERE DISCOVERED AS TAKEN, AT THE END OF MASS.

MASS GOERS RECALLED DETAILS OF THE CAR REGISTRATION OF THE SUSPECTS AND GARDAI LATER ARRESTED THREE PEOPLE, A MAN AND TWO WOMEN, IN TUAM.

THE MAN WAS CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENTS LAST NIGHT AND WAS REMANDED IN CUSTODY TODAY TO APPEAR BEFORE HARRISTOWN COURT ON FRIDAY NEXT. THE TWO WOMEN WERE RELEASED WITHOUT CHARGE AND FILES ARE BEING PREPARED FOR THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS.

ONE OF THE VICTIM’S OF THE THEFT, WHO DID NOT WISH TO BE IDENTIFIED, SAID SHE WAS QUITE SHOCKED BY THE ORDEAL.

SHE EXPLAINED THAT ON COMING BACK TO HER SEAT AFTER COMMUNION SHE IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT HER PURSE WAS GONE. IT CONTAINED CASH AND CREDIT CARDS. SHE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT LEAVING PURSES / BAGS UNATTENDED IN ANY CHURCH AND ALSO THANKED THE PROMPT RESPONSE OF CLAREMORRIS GARDAI TO THE INCIDENTS.

FR MARTIN O’CONNOR IS THE PARISH PRIEST IN BALLINDINE AND HE TOLD MIDWEST NEWS TODAY THAT THE CONGREGATION WERE SHOCKED THAT SUCH A THING COULD HAPPEN. HE TOO COMPLIMENTED THE QUICK RESPONSE OF CLAREMORRIS GARDAI IN ARRESTING THOSE INVOLVED. HE SAID PEOPLE COME TO CHURCH TO PRAY AND IT IS A PEACEFUL AND SAFE PLACE TO COME AND IT IS QUITE SHOCKING WHEN A SACRED PEACEFUL PLACE IS VIOLATED IN THIS WAY.