The steel cross on the summit of Carrauntoohil has been re-erected today, after it was cut down last week in an apparent act of vandalism.

The project to reinstate the cross was coordinated by MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Access Forum, with the assistance of local volunteers, landowners and community groups.

A group of around 30 volunteers helped bring the necessary equipment to the summit of the mountain early this morning, with the cross successfully re-erected at around lunchtime.

The 5m steel cross on the summit of Carrauntoohil has been re-instated. It was cut down by vandals last Saturday. pic.twitter.com/zgdEeLVFpc

— Seán Mac an tSíthigh (@Buailtin) November 29, 2014

The cross was erected on the summit of the mountain in 1976.

A garda investigation into its cutting down is continuing.

Atheist Ireland had voiced concern about the reinstatement of the cross earlier this week.

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

Mountaineering Ireland had supported the move to reinstate the cross, citing an earlier consensus that "there are some memorials that have become part of the mountains’ heritage and landscape."

One of the reasons they gave for their support was that "those that cut down the cross did so without debate, without explanation, without the owners’ permission and it is therefore an act of vandalism."