Thousands flock to the grotto in Ballinspittle, County Cork where a statue of the Virgin Mary is claimed to have miraculously moved.
For the past two weeks, crowds of about 8,000 people have been drawn to the grotto in Ballinspittle where the claims of moving statues have been made. After two local women claimed to have seen the statue moving, word spread and crowds grew. There is now a 24 hour vigil in place and a local committee has been established to manage the crowds that gather at the site each evening.
Believers say that after 10 o'clock in the evening the statue is seen to move in a human way from the waist up, moving its arms and head. Others see the face of Christ superimposed on the statue.
Michael Ryan chats to some of those who have claimed to have seen the statue moving. Dr. Michael Murphy, Bishop of Conor and Ross comments on the claims that have been made.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 July 1985. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
