Church building in the Midlands 'seriously affected' by Storm Eowyn

Storm Éowyn caused serious damage to the roof and building of a church at the weekend. The damage was caused to the Church of The Most Holy Rosary in Abbeyleix.

The high storm force winds ripped slates of the Church roof causing it to leak.

Fr Paddy Byrne said “the physical building of the church was seriously affected” by the Storm Winds and repairs are now underway.   

“There is immediate work in terms of alleviating the roof which has been exposed to the elements,” said Fr Byrne. 

He said it was just one of a number of churches across Laois which would have been damaged by the storm due to their age. 

Fr Byrne said he was responsible for six churches in the parish and while some of the others were damaged, they weren’t in need of attention as urgently as in Abbeyleix. He said while the church was damaged, he was thankful that nobody was injured. 

“We have been in touch with our insurers and following their instructions we immediately began repairs,” he said.  

When asked if the insurers had attempted to claim it was an act of god, Fr Byrne said not at all.

He also dismissed any suggestion of a fundraiser and said the work was being covered by insurance.