Release of Carrauntoohill Cross footage is sinister – Griffin

Fine Gael TD for Kerry, Brendan Griffin, has today (Tuesday) condemned the release of footage showing the Carrauntoohill Cross being cut down and has said this adds a further sinister element to the incident.

“As if it wasn’t bad enough that these people climbed to the top of Carrauntoohill with an angle grinder to cut down the Cross, now they are looking for plaudits for their actions by releasing a video of the act online. This adds an even more sinister element to the episode.

“What can we expect next? Will these people start burning down churches or attacking people on their way to mass? This type of behaviour is simply not acceptable. In this country we advocate an attitude of tolerance and understanding of peoples’ beliefs. There is no acceptance of people who take the law into their own hands and show absolutely no remorse by seeking further publicity.

“The c utting down of the cross at the summit of Carrauntoohil was an act of shameless vandalism and seeking admiration is utterly disgraceful.

“I would like to commend all the local people involved in putting the cross back in its rightful place so quickly after the incident and I welcome the fact that Gardaí are investigating the footage. I wish them every success in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”