A popular priest is being ripped away from a parish that has vowed to fight the Church’s decision to move him.
Fr David Bradley has championed a working class area in Drogheda, Co Louth, for a quarter of a century.
Locals insist they need him now more than ever as a bitter drugs feud has erupted.
Chairman of the St Nicholas’ Gaelic Football Club Des McDonald told the Irish Mirror his transfer is ridiculous.
He said: “A lot of the gangland stuff that is happening in Drogheda would be happening in Rathmullen and that’s one of the areas in our parish.
“To be taking a figure like him out of it now, when you need him now more than ever considering what is going on in Drogheda at the minute, it’s just crazy.”
Fr Bradley, in his 50s, is originally from Meath, but was posted to Drogheda 26 years ago.
Des insisted the people need him on the ground as gardai try to tackle gun and drug-related crime.
He added: “They’re putting extra guards in but they’re taking someone like Fr Bradley out of there,
“He has a great relationship with the young people. They respect him, which is unusual in this day and age to be honest with you. If they had more priests like him in the Catholic Church it would be a different place altogether.”
Fr Bradley has been involved in youth programmes for two decades.
Des said: “He took kids on trips to England, Paris and all over the country in a mini bus.
“It’s hard to put into words what kind of man he is because he has just done so many things for the community.”
The Holy Family Parish is home to more than 6,000 residents but the small rural village in Co Westmeath where Fr Bradley is expected to be sent has a population of just 600.
St Nicholas’ GFC has started an online petition which has so far attracted 1,200 signatures. When the club hits its 3,500 target the petition will be presented to the Bishop Larry Duffy.
Labour Senator Ged Nash is backing the campaign.
He said: “Fr Bradley has a huge commitment to social justice and commitment to his parishioners in a part of the Diocesse that is quite marginalised.
“He has huge respect across the community and there is a real sense of grief and loss since the announcement was made last week that he is due to leave.
“His loss will be really felt in the area, any moves that will be made to retain him will be backed by me.”
