IT’S EMERGED A commemorative plaque at the summit of Carrauntoohil which explained the origins of its landmark 5 metre steel cross was also stolen by vandals over the weekend.
Gardaí and public representatives are appealing for information over the mystifying crime, which most-likely happened at some stage between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
The severed monument was discovered by a group of climbers on Ireland’s highest peak, early on Saturday. It’s believed an angle-grinder was used to chop it down.
The cross was placed on the mountaintop in 1976.
“I think the public really can help us in relation to advancing our investigation,” Superintendent Flor Murphy of Killarney Garda Station told Radio Kerry today.
I think the locals particularly those around the Black Valley, Beaufort areas and the various access points to Carrauntoohil — any unusual activity of vehicles or persons on Thursday evening, Friday, early Saturday, I think that’s critical to assist us in moving this investigation forward.
Meetings are being held in the area early this week to decide how to replace the cross.
Tim Moriarty of Beaufort Community Council said his group had been inundated with offers of help from the local area and elsewhere.
Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne, also speaking to the local radio station, said the Church too would “lend a hand” in the restoration effort.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin said who-ever decided to chop the cross down would have had to plan their activities well in advance.
“Hauling such a piece of equipment [an angle-grinder] to the top of Ireland’s highest mountain would not be easy,” Griffin said.
It would require considerable preparation, suggesting this was a well-planned act of destruction.
“The cross served as a focal point for climbers upon reaching the summit and had, in its own way, become a landmark. Regardless of what people’s views on religion are, all would agree that this is a totally senseless act that services no purpose except needless destruction.”
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