The remains of the vandalised base where the sea god statue Manannán Mac Lir stood

The artwork in all its former glory

The artwork in all its former glory

Christian fundamentalists are believed to be behind the theft of a statue of a Celtic sea god from a mountain top above Limavady.

A 5ft cross emblazoned with 'Thou Shalt Not Have False Gods Before Me' was left behind after the thieves took an angle grinder to the steel frame of the statue of Manannán Mac Lir. The statue was one of five scattered across the Roe Valley as part of a Sculpture Trail aimed at boosting tourism in 2013. The remaining four pieces of artwork were left unscathed.

Former Limavady mayor Gerry Mullan said the theft was premeditated and was not a random act of vandalism.

Read more

Read More

He said: "Local people are extremely angry that this statue has been taken. It really enhanced what is already a beautiful spot from which visitors and residents alike can sit and enjoy the view and I would appeal to whoever took the statue to give it back."

Police are hunting the thieves and have appealed for information.

Belfast Telegraph