Dublin's two archbishops and the city's lord mayor have issued a joint appeal for the return of the heart of St Laurence O'Toole, stolen from Christ Church Cathedral, writes Patsy McGarry.
The relic was kept in a wooden container in an iron cage. The bars of the cage were cut and the relic taken.
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said the relic was “the spiritual heart of our city and it belongs to the people of Dublin”. Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson said the theft “caused shock and distress, not only in Dublin but worldwide”. Lord Mayor Andrew Montague said it was important it was returned “to its rightful place”, appealing for anyone with information to contact gardaí.