The statue stands at nearly 5 feet tall, and has been missing since Monday of this week.
The community of Kilmacanogue in Wicklow has been left "surprised and shocked" after a statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen earlier this week.
The statue usually forms a central part of the popular Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, the
Irish Mirror reports.
Locals believe a number of people may have been involved in removing the large statue from its pedestal, by dragging it down the steep bank of the grotto where it has stood for nearly 100 years.
As no remains of the statue were discovered at the site, it’s believed the statue was intact when it was taken.
Curate of Kilmacanogue Fr Hyacinth Nwakuna told the Mirror he was shocked someone would take the statue.
“I went down to the grotto and saw it for myself. It’s gone. I am very surprised and I cannot comprehend it,” he said.
“I don’t know who would take it. It’s just absolutely shocking. We are hoping we get it back in one piece.”
“Everyone here is surprised and shocked too.... And we would appeal to whoever took it to bring it back. Do the right thing and bring it back".
Missing Mary Statue at Kilmacanogue Church, image via Google Street View
Kilmacanogue resident Eileen O’Sullivan also told the paper she "couldn't comprehend" why someone would steal the statue.
“It’s really extraordinary... The grotto is on a very steep incline so whoever took the statue possibly dragged it down the hill intact. There appears to be a track way where the statue was dragged down.
“It wasn’t taken away to be cleaned or anything and no-one knows what happened. And I don’t know how whoever took it will be able to hide it as it’s over five feet in height".
Local Gardaí are currently investigating.
Header image via Shutterstock
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