FOHENAGH PRIEST SPEAKS OUT AGAINST RURAL CRIME

Date Published: 08-Jan-2013

Respect for person and property has been eroded through a rise in rural crime.

That's according to Fohenagh Parish Priest Fr. Christy Mc Cormack who was accosted as he left his car outside the Parochial House in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Fr. Mc Cormack disturbed three men at the house and was then struck on the face by one of the intruders before they sped off in a car in the direction of Kilconnell.

He says oil had been stolen at the Parochial House and the local national school during Christmas and he fears the intruders had been attempting to steal oil and copper piping before being interrupted.

Gardai are now carrying out a full investigation but no arrests have yet been made.

Speaking on Galway Talks, Fr. McCormack says he was shocked following the assault but did not require hospitalisation.

He says such rural crime makes citizens throughout the county feel increasingly more vulnerable.