Gardaí are making an appeal with regard to a number of recovered artworks that are believed to have been stolen.
As part of an ongoing investigation, Gardaí searched a premises in West Dublin in mid-
April. Forty-eight (48) paintings in total were seized, along with a number of antique books and antiquities.
Images are available for viewing here
Gardaí have identified owners for six of the paintings (which had been stolen), and it is suspected that the majority of the remaining paintings were also stolen. The six that were identified were stolen from locations as diverse as Belfast, Yorkshire, Dublin and Carlow. These crimes occurred as long ago as the 1980s and 1990s.
No one has been charged in relation to the thefts to date.
In respect of the remaining 43 paintings, we are hoping to re unite them with their owners. Images and details of each item are available on the Garda web site.
The overall value of the paintings is in excess of €100,000, with the six identified ones valued at approx €35,000.
The paintings include works by Robert Ballagh, William Ashford, Brian Ballord, and Graham Knuttell.
Gardaí from Pearse Street, in association with the Arts & Antiquities Unit in the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), have liaised with arts experts and international police (via Interpol) as part of the investigation.
Gardaí are appealing for:
+ Anyone who may recognise any of the artworks
+ Anyone who had property/artworks stolen up to 20/30 years ago
+ For art owners to check their pieces, as it is possible that they may have been stolen and replaced by a copy
+ Anyone who may have thought they lost the property/artworks
+ Anyone who may have been offered any of these artworks for sale (either auctioneers or members of the public)
+ Anyone who has information in regards to the providence of property/artworks
to contact Pearse Street Gardaí at 666 9000, or pearse.street.incidentroom@garda.ie to arrange a viewing.
Superintendent Paul Moran, Garda Press Officer, speaking at Pearse Street Garda station today said:
"We have 42 paintings we hoping to re-unite them with their owners. All the items can be viewed on the Garda web site, anyone with information is asked to contact the detective unit at Pearse Street Garda station to schedule a viewing".
Superintendent Moran continued:
"These items may have been stolen over a number of years, and possibly in the United Kingdom or Ireland".
