Up to 2,000 people, according to gardai, gathered at a grotto near Roscrea, Co Tipperary, yesterday, where it had been announced the Virgin Mary was to appear to a visionary. Participants estimated the numbers present at "between 4,500 and 5,000." They sang hymns and prayed from 2 p.m. until about 5 p.m.
Later Mr Donal Tierney (33) said the Virgin Mary and Jesus had appeared to his wife, Fiona (22), for about an hour, urging prayers for peace and the ending of abortion.
The Virgin had also called on people to gather at the site on December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, to pray for the unborn, Mr Tierney said.
Mr Tierney, who accompanied his wife throughout yesterday's vigil, said that neither the Virgin nor Jesus was visible to him, but his wife was focused on them throughout. The Virgin appeared with her head back and a glow on her face. She was in what he said the church described as "ecstasy".
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/a812fdea-a152-4458-82e7-f74d152302fe.png)