The Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames, yesterday appealed for the return of the missing treasures taken when armed raiders plundered the Robinson Library in Armagh on December 14th. The items include a first edition of Gulliver's Travels.
His plea follows the weekend interception by gardai at Dublin Airport of two men en route to San Francisco and the recovery of five ancient manuscripts.
Mr Philip Joseph Monks, from Armagh, and Mr Arthur McShane, with an address at Clondalkin, Dublin, appeared at a special sitting of Dublin District Court, accused of handling stolen property. Mr Monks was remanded in custody and Mr McShane got bail.
Two solid silver corporation maces dating back to 1656 were recovered just before Christmas lying in a plastic shopping bag on the footpath outside Balbriggan Garda station.