Garda∅ in Co Tipperary are investigating an incident in which skulls from a graveyard were impaled on the cemetery gates.
Garda∅ are investigating the incident at Glenkeen cemetery, a mile from Borrisoleigh, but say there is no evidence of criminal damage.
Father Dan Ryan, the parish priest, said he was saddened by the incident.
"I don't know why people do things like that but how anyone could desecrate a grave is a mystery. It was a thoughtless act," he said.
Mr Pat Meagher, a local shopkeeper who is involved with the maintenance of the graveyard, said he heard reports on Tuesday about skulls on the gates of the graveyard.
He believed the reports were a hallowe'en prank until a man called to his shop and informed him that his mother, who visited the graveyard regularly, was shocked after seeing the skulls impaled.
"I was horrified. They were all human skulls. One was on the gate, impaled on a cross.
There was a second skull on the ground in front of a large cross, it could have fallen from the gate ... I was disgusted", said Mr Meagher.