Police were searching for vandals today after a Catholic Church was attacked in Bushmills in Co Antrim.
The PSNI said a police patrol passing the church at Priestland Road at around 4am discovered the damage.
"Vandals threw a tar-like substance over the front of the chapel," said the PSNI.
Police at Bushmills have appealed for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area overnight to contact them.
Sean Farren, the SDLP's north Antrim assembly member, said this was a despicable attack on the entire Catholic community in the Bushmills area.
"It is shameful for anyone to attack a place of worship in such a gross act of vandalism. And unfortunately this is the second attack on Catholic Churches in the North Antrim area in a matter of days," he said.
Mr Farren said it was not the first time the church, which is located in an isolated area, had been attacked.
"The beautiful Chapel is a historic building but newly renovated. The entire Catholic community are saddened by this vandalism," he said.
PA