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CV NEWS FEED // A fire on Easter Monday destroyed St. Mary’s Church in Derrybeg, County Donegal, Ireland.
“This morning, our hearts are heavy as we come to terms with the terrible tragedy that took place when St Mary’s Church here in Na Doirí Beaga was burnt to the ground,” said the parish’s pastor, Father An t-Athair Brian Ó Fearraigh, RTE.IE reported. “It’s a church that holds a lot of dear memories for our parishioners here. Words fall silent in the face of such destruction.”
RTE.IE added that five units of the fire brigade and the gardaí (Ireland’s national police) responded at 4 a.m., when they heard the first reports of the fire.
Built in 1972, St. Mary’s was the largest church in the diocese of Raphoe.
Ireland Independent reported that the Irish company Coiste Forbartha Dhobair Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta set up a fundraiser to help rebuild the church. The GoFundMe page has now raised €41,833 (USD$47,426.70) toward its €50,000 (USD$56,685.16) goal.
The church’s greater parish, Paróiste Ghaoth Dobhair, is planning on rebuilding the church, according to an announcement on Facebook.
“We are a resilient community and will stand together to support one another in this moment of deep grief and sorrow,” the announcement stated. “We will rebuild our Church with a renewed hope for a brighter future.”
The announcement also thanked first responders for their work.
The Irish Independent stated that Irish police are planning on carrying out a technical examination, or forensic inquiry. A Garda spokesperson said, according to the outlet, “Enquiries are ongoing.”
