'It's a strange thing to steal' - Kerry parish shocked after pew stolen from church 'for pub'

The thieves broke into the church and stole the heavy, four-seat wooden pew from the choir's balcony at the rear of the small church.

As the balcony is not used very often the theft was only noticed last week but it's thought that the robbery may have taken place up to two weeks earlier.

The theft, which was discovered last week, has been described as "extremely strange" by Parish Priest Fr Pat Crean Lynch who is appealing for the public's help in finding the stolen pew.

Initially Fr Crean Lynch and the volunteers thought the pew may have been moved by cleaners but following a thorough investigation they are now convinced that it was stolen.

"When we noticed it was gone we though maybe it might have been moved and we spent a day or two asking around to find out if anyone knew where it was. No one knows where it is and we're now certain it was stolen," Fr Crean Lynch told The Kerryman.

"It's a extremely strange thing to steal. The only explanation that anyone can come up with is that someone stole it to put in a pub or to use in their house," he said.

Fr Crean Lynch also pointed out that stealing the pew would have been an awkward and difficult proposition.

"It wouldn't have been easy. It's fairly heavy and the only way to get it out would have been to lower it out and down over the balcony," he said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballymacelligott Presbytery.