ARCHBISHOP KIERAN O’Reilly of Cashel and Emly has renewed an appeal for the decapitated head of a statue damaged in June this year. 

The head of the marble statue of Archbisop Patrick Leahy was removed and stolen on the night of 27 June.

Located outside the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles, where the archbishop was buried in 1875, the statue of Leahy remains without its head five months later. 

“It is now nearly five months since the statue was damaged.  The damage to the statue and removal of the head has upset the people of the archdiocese and, in particular, the people of the town of Thurles.

“I appeal today to any person who may be able to provide information about the incident or the whereabouts of the damaged piece of the statue to come forward,” O’Reilly told mass-goers this morning. 

“A committee of the parish is offering a reward for information leading to the recovery of the head of the statue of Archbishop Patrick Leahy,” said O’Reilly. 

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Statue of archbishop decapitated outside Thurles cathedral

“I thank you for your attention, and any assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.”

Gardaí are still investigating the whereabouts of the missing head.

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí in Thurles on 0504 25100 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. 

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