Atheist Ireland is voicing concern about the reinstatement of a cross at the summit of Carrauntoohil.

The organisation says it has no problem with a cross on the mountain, if it is on private property and has gone through the full planning process.

However it objects to the cross being put up in a public space because it would not represent the whole community.

The cross on the Co Kerry mountain was cut down last weekend. Atheist Ireland has condemned the act of vandalism.

A group of climbers discovered the cross on Saturday, where it had fallen on the ground.

The cross is believed to have been cut with an angle-grinder, about a foot up from the base.

The iconic cross was erected on the summit of Carrauntoohil in 1976.