Car window smashed outside church during Holy Thursday Mass

Gardai in Athlone have warned motorists not to leave valuables unattended in vehicles after an incident in which a car window was smashed and a handbag stolen outside St Mary's Church last Thursday morning. The car was parked in St Mary's Square when the break-in occurred. It's understood that the car's owner was in the Church at the time, attending the Chrism Mass for Holy Thursday which began at 11am. Sergeant John Lawless said Gardai were appealing for anyone who might have seen something suspicious to contact the station in Athlone. "We would also like to issue a warning to people not to leave valuables in their cars," he said. "If they have to leave something of value in the car we would encourage them to store it safely in a place where it can't be seen." Bishop Colm O'Reilly was the chief celebrant of the Chrism Mass at St Mary's. It was the only Mass taking place in the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois on the morning of Holy Thursday. Athlone Garda Station can be contacted at: 090 6492600.