Can you help to solve this crime?
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:22 am
As proud Offaly folk, we need to do what we can to preserve our heritage. You may have seen this story on the news earlier, but no harm in getting the word out there to see if we can recover this historically significant piece of our culture.
Details below:
Gardaí in Tullamore are investigating the theft of an artefact from a church in Boher, Co Offaly today.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0601/artefa ... html#video
St Manchan's Shrine was stolen from a church in Co Offaly
Play
Nine News: Artefact stolen from church in Co Offaly
St Manchan's Shrine, an intricate bronzework, was stolen this afternoon.
Suspicions were raised about a car that was seen in the area, travelling between Boher and Shannonbridge.
Two males were subsequently arrested on the M5 at Ronanstown, Co Dublin, and were taken into custody.
The men are being transported back to Tullamore Garda Station for questioning in relation to the theft.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have seen anything or anyone suspicious in Boher or between Boher and Shannonbridge to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600 .
Gardaí are searching the area between Ballycumber and Shannonbridge as they believe the artefact might have been dumped or hidden along that route.
The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Dr Colm O'Reilly, has said he is shocked and disgusted by the theft of what he described as "a priceless masterpiece of Irish Christian art."
Dr O'Reilly said this evening that there was an elaborate security system, complete with a camera, in place at the church where the shrine was stolen this afternoon.
The Bishop has appealed for the public's assistance in the return of the shrine, which he said was particularly significant for the people of Clonmacnoise, where St Manchan had founded one of the local monasteries.
He said the shrine, which was made of bronze and had been meticulously engraved, was one of the last surviving pieces from this very interesting period in Irish history.
Details below:
Gardaí in Tullamore are investigating the theft of an artefact from a church in Boher, Co Offaly today.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0601/artefa ... html#video
St Manchan's Shrine was stolen from a church in Co Offaly
Play
Nine News: Artefact stolen from church in Co Offaly
St Manchan's Shrine, an intricate bronzework, was stolen this afternoon.
Suspicions were raised about a car that was seen in the area, travelling between Boher and Shannonbridge.
Two males were subsequently arrested on the M5 at Ronanstown, Co Dublin, and were taken into custody.
The men are being transported back to Tullamore Garda Station for questioning in relation to the theft.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have seen anything or anyone suspicious in Boher or between Boher and Shannonbridge to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600 .
Gardaí are searching the area between Ballycumber and Shannonbridge as they believe the artefact might have been dumped or hidden along that route.
The Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Dr Colm O'Reilly, has said he is shocked and disgusted by the theft of what he described as "a priceless masterpiece of Irish Christian art."
Dr O'Reilly said this evening that there was an elaborate security system, complete with a camera, in place at the church where the shrine was stolen this afternoon.
The Bishop has appealed for the public's assistance in the return of the shrine, which he said was particularly significant for the people of Clonmacnoise, where St Manchan had founded one of the local monasteries.
He said the shrine, which was made of bronze and had been meticulously engraved, was one of the last surviving pieces from this very interesting period in Irish history.