Man questioned following theft of cash from churches

A man is being questioned by Gardaí following the theft of thousands of Euro in cash from churches in East Cork. 

Gardaí in Cobh began a surveilance operation after a priest in Cobh reported that a man had used a hooked length of wire to fish donations from the collection box. 

The Romanian national returned to the church to steal more donations yesterday and was caught near the Jack Lynch Tunnel after a car chase along the N25. 

He is currently being detained at Cobh Garda Station and can be held for up to 24 hours.

The man's bank accounts have been frozen and he will also be questioned about thefts from collection boxes in Carrigtwohill, Cloyne, Midleton and West Waterford. 

The Diocese of Cloyne had written to priests to warn them to be vigilant and initially thought the thief had a master key to unlock the donation boxes.

Priests will also be contacting parishioners to try to determine exactly how much money was stolen. 


 

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