Dublin People - Locals rejoice as statue returns

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Locals rejoice as statue returns

Thursday, 28 August 2008

RESIDENTS in Coolock were rejoicing last week when a statue of the Virgin Mary that was stolen from a grotto in their area was returned to its rightful place.
Earlier this month, Northside People reported the case of the missing statue in Ferrycarrig Road and how it was later found in a garden following an anonymous tip-off.
The statue was then taken to a local house for safe keeping until it was ready to be re-sited.
Local resident Dick O Leary has praised the work of everyone involved in recovering the statue.
Mr O’Leary thanked Northside People for highlighting the case.
“Joe Duffy’s Liveline programme and the gardai played a great role too,” said Mr O’Leary.
“After I went on the radio to make my plea for the statue to be returned, an anonymous call was made to Coolock Garda Station.
“We also had seven offers from people to pay for the replacement of the statue, which the community greatly appreciates.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in recovering this important symbol for the community, who were distraught at its loss.”

The statue was well secured into the grotto where it had stood since being erected by locals in May 1989.
Its theft is the first serious instance of vandalism to take place since it was erected.
Mr O’Leary said local residents have no idea why the statue was taken.
“We are glad to have at least been told where it was left,” he stated.
“The grotto area used to be just grassy wasteland; it was a congregating point for young people and there would be bonfires there at Halloween.
“Residents decided that a nice statue might help get rid of people hanging around there.
“Many people said that it would never last but there has been no vandalism since it was put in.”
Mr O’Leary said the Parks Department at Dublin City Council have been a great help to the community and have always taken a great interest in the maintenance of the statue and grotto.
“All the labour to get the statue erected was voluntary and we had great help from the Parks Department even back in the early days,” he added.
“The statue cost us £335 back then and the cost to have the whole thing built was £1,471.
“The money was raised locally from raffles and door to door collections; there wasn’t a lot of money around back then.”
The grotto is a favourite location for locals to pray or have their picture taken following baptisms, first Holy Communions and weddings.
The grateful community now intends to hold a mass at the grotto to consecrate the grounds after they were desecrated during the theft.

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