A woman in Bunbeg says she is petrified to place memorial statues on her loved one’s graves following a series of thefts.
Jackie Sanzone has reported two incidents of theft from her parents and sister’s grave at Magheragallon Cemetery in the past two weeks.
The first incident was on Saturday 3rd June, when a beautiful hand-made Celtic cross was taken from her beloved parents’ grave. Jackie gained some solace when a kind friend, Neil Ferry, made a replacement cross.
However, yesterday, Jackie discovered another memorial piece stolen. This time it was a statue she place on her sister’s resting place 25 years ago.
“Fortunately this time the piece was found in a ditch in Carrick Boyle by someone walking by,” Jackie said.
“It is now in my possession, but I am petrified to place it back on the grave.”
“At this point I’m numb, devastated and so heartbroken, that anyone in this world would not only disrespect, not one but three members of my family’s last resting place, in less than 2 weeks, is an absolute disgrace to our community.”
The stolen statue was recovered in a nearby ditch
Jackie has issued a community appeal to whoever is responsible to “please just stop”.
She said: “Please, if you have any empathy in your heart, please return my parents’ Celtic cross and stop breaking our family’s heart.”
