BRAZEN ART thieves are suspected of stealing another one tonne sculpture from the side of a road in the midlands this week.
Gardaí in Clara, Co Offaly, are investigating the disappearance of a €64,000 seven metre sculpture known locally as “The Bronze Lady”.
Commissioned in 2007, the statue depicting Gráinne Óg by Ann Meldon Hugh was located along the M6 slip road approaching Moate in Co Westmeath.
Gardaí believe a number of people used machinery to remove the bronze and stainless steel piece. They became aware of the theft this week but believe the sculpture may have been gone for up to a fortnight.
The theft comes just one week after the theft of a second bronze sculpture called The Hitch Hiker. It was stolen on the main Dublin to Cork motorway near Monasterevin in Co Kildare.
Westmeath County Council arts officer Catherine Kelly expressed her disappointment at the loss of such a high-quality artwork. Although the sculpture was insured, she said the council is now “fearful” that other pieces may be targeted.
Moate-based Cllr Tom Allen (FF) said it was “amazing and still a mystery how someone could lift something so big” unnoticed.
“Something of that value would need to be placed maybe at a roundabout where there is a lot of activity.” Mr Allen believes the statue may have already been melted down for its scrap metal value.
Gardaí in Clara are appealing to anyone with information in relation to the theft to contact the Garda station there on 057- 9331100.