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23rd April 2013 • Volume 20, Issue 15 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Fatal Irony Of Audacious Robbery In Swords
Pictured are two of the four rhino horns, which were stolen.
which were on display on Merrion Street, were removed more than a year ago amid security and public safety concerns.” “We took a decision a couple of years ago to store them away, largely on garda advice and also from monitoring the traffic internationally, following a steady rise of theft of rhino horn. The pattern was to smash and grab, even when the museums were open, and By Jennifer McShane we did not want to put the public at risk. This was our primary Last week’s audacious robbery of four rhino heads and horns from concern.” Despite their value, he admitted that the horns were not the National Museum’s Archives in Swords, has baffled Museum insured. “Generally, state heritage is not covered by insurance because you’d be spending a fortune on insurance premiums, but officials and local Gardai alike. The rhino horns, which are believed to be worth approximately the museum usually would insure items which are sent on loan to €500,000, are believed to be about 100 years old. They were stolen other institutions. As they were in storage and not out on loan, when three masked men entered the Museum’s Archive building at unfortunately in this case, they were not insured.” He said that, as a keeper Balheary in Swords. The of the museum, it was a raiders tied up the security real tragedy that the man on duty (who public would have escaped unharmed), missed out on viewing before loading the heads the spectacular display, of the stuffed animals, and obviously this was plus their prized horns, made worse by the fact into a large white van. that they were taken. He The stolen rhinoceros said he thinks the heads have a total of eight robbers will most likely horns that, according to dump the rhino heads the National Museum, and keep the horns to were probably taken to avoid carting them supply the illegal trade in around, and he urges the powdered horn that is public to keep a watchful used in traditional medi- The National Museum Archive building at Balheary in Swords. eye out for any suspicines in the Far East. Rhino horns are much sought after by certain practitioners of cious activity. “I would ask anyone to report all odd activity they might see to Swords Garda Station.” Chinese medicine who believe them to hold curative and aphro“Obviously, we would hope that the rhino heads are recovered,” he disiac properties. However, the haul may be devalued as the horns are reported to continued. Unless you’ve got connections to the Far East, trophy have been coated with arsenic, which was used in the early 20th heads would normally fetch a couple of thousand euro, but the real value is in the rhino horns.” century to preserve mounted animals. An organised crime gang is believed to be behind the robbery. An incident room has been set up at Swords garda station and they Europol has launched 30 operations in recent months and police are also appealing for anyone with information to contact them. forces all over Europe are involved and liaising with gardai. Most locals will have been surprised to know that the National Museum had an Archive section in Swords. For security reasons, the museum did not want this information to be in the public domain. Another burning question that people will have is why there was only one security guard to mind such a precious hoard. Ironically, the rhino horns were located in Swords in an effort to prevent them from being stolen. They were taken out of public display more than a year ago and put into storage after a spate of similar thefts from museums across Europe. Keeper with the National Museum, Nigel Monaghan, spoke to the County Leader and called the unfortunate incident a “fatal irony” and said that “the horns,
FASHION STORES TO SUIT ALL TASTES
The Heart Of Shopping In Balbriggan
Taoiseach, Enda Kenny was presented with the award winning Hebe 'Rhubarb and Custard' by Tully Nurseries at Government Buildings last week. The Hebe, which took five years to develop was the winner of the best plant for 2013. Pictured at the presentation are, Niamh Tully, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Martin Tully and Padraig Tully. See story on page 6
Official Opening Of Riasc Centre In Kinsealy
Pictured at the official opening of the Riasc Centre in Kinsealy, incorporating Swords Baptist Church on Thursday, 18th April are, Brendan Ryan TD, County Mayor Cian O'Callaghan, Michael Kennedy, Clem Hegarty (Pastor, Swords Baptist Church), Cllr Darragh Butler, Senator Darragh O'Brien and Keith Kingston (Swords Baptist Church).
The much anticipated official opening of The Riasc Centre, Feltrim Road, Kinsealy, took place on Thursday 18th April last. The centre is the new home of Swords Baptist Church and the ceremony was attended by a large gathering of people
By Patrick Finnegan from all walks of life. The entertainment for the evening was provided by the wonderful Enchiriadis Treis choir from Malahide, who performed some very uplifting choral pieces, including the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. In celebration of the event, Swords Baptist Church held a Community Family Fun day last Saturday, 20th April, and many local families turned out and joined in the fun. A spokesperson for the Baptist Church said they were delighted to share their facility with their new neighbours in the Kinsealy, Feltrim,
Drynam and Melrose area. There was particular interest in the bouncy castle and face painting among the local children. The Riasc Centre is an ideal venue for conferences, training, graduation ceremonies, choral and musical presentations. It offers a bright and modern 400 seat auditorium, several multi-purpose meeting rooms, a high specification commercial kitchen and youth facilities. It includes free parking, WiFi, wheelchair access, AV equipment, natural daylight in all rooms and a professional sound system in the fully carpeted auditorium.