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PHOTOS: Man Smashes Vehicle Through Gates And Front Doors Of St John’s

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The damage caused to the inside doors at St John’s Church. Photo by Dermot Crean

A TRALEE man was arrested last night after he caused serious damage to the gates and front doors of St John’s Church on Castle Street last night.

At around 9pm, a local man, travelling from the Moyderwell direction, drove a van through the padlocked wrought iron gates fronting onto Castle Street.

He then proceeded to drive through the large, red front doors of the church and smashed through the first electronic wooden doors inside, causing considerable damage.

He then reversed out and tried to exit via Castle Street, but the gates were wedged into the ground and he couldn’t get past.

He left the scene and was eventually apprehended by gardaí in the St Brendan’s Park area of town.

Fr Bernard Healy, speaking to TraleeToday.ie after 8.30am Mass on Friday morning, said they were astonished at what happened but are glad that the gardaí now have the situation in hand.

It is understood church services are continuing as normal with parishioners entering and exiting via the side door. Scroll down for photos…

The front gates at St John’s which were driven in by the van. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The damage caused to the bolt on the front door at St John’s Church. Photo by Dermot Crean
The damage caused to the inside doors at St John’s Church. Photo by Dermot Crean
The wing mirror of the van on the ground inside. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The front doors of the church which, on the face of it, didn’t bear the worst of the damage. Photo by Dermot Crean
The top of the front doors.