THREE SEPARATE motions came before Killarney Town Council last night calling for the reinstatement of a religious statue at the town’s community hospital.
The large statue of the Sacred Heart, believed to be in situ since 1939 the year the hospital opened, was removed by hospital management last month amid what the HSE said were concerns over health and safety. It has since been placed in a green area.
Killarney mayor Michael Gleeson said that in his career in public service he had never come across an issue that had generated so much upset in the community. Society was being propelled into a neutral state where all spiritual matters were being devalued, he claimed.
People had contacted him from Donegal to Bantry to say the same was happening in their hospitals.
“It’s time the State and their agents show respect for the traditions which have moulded us. I’ve met no one from any other religion who has expressed concern about that statue’s [presence]. It’s the worst thing that has happened in this town,” the Mayor added.
Cllr Hugh Courtney said pluralism should be dealt with by incorporating religious items from other faiths, “rather than eliminating all items from the Christian faith”.
He suggested a silent march take place to the hospital.
“I do not believe the statue was unsafe and if needs be we should send an engineer to examine it. Health and safety is a smokescreen. There is public outrage and we should get together on this, ” he said.
Other religious icons had also been removed.
“Other religious should also be invited to bring in their icons,” he said.