Diocesan News
Assistant Garda Commissioner to present recovered heart of patron saint of Dublin
The heart of St Laurence O’Toole, Dublin’s patron saint, will be returned to its rightful home in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, this evening, Thursday April 26, at 6pm. The relic was stolen from the cathedral in March 2012 and after a six year absence has been recovered undamaged.
A long running investigation by An Garda Síochána led to the recovery of the heart. That investigation is ongoing.
The heart will be presented by Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy to the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, at a service of Choral Evensong in Christ Church Cathedral, at 6pm this evening.
Archbishop Jackson said that the return of the heart is of huge significance to the people of Dublin.
“The return of the heart of Laurence O’Toole to Christ Church Cathedral brings great joy to the people of Dublin as Dubliners. For those of us associated with the life of the dioceses, it brings again to the fore the close relationship between Glendalough and Dublin, a relationship of more than 800 years. Laurence left the monastic city of Glendalough of which he was Abbot to become Archbishop of Dublin, hence cementing a vibrant relationship that continues unabated to this day,” he stated.
“Our deep thanks and warm appreciation go to all who have worked tirelessly to make this day of restoration possible, particularly the Garda Síochána,” he added.
The cathedral’s Dean, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne, said he was delighted that the relic had been recovered.
“I am delighted that the heart will be back in the cathedral. I am grateful to the Gardaí for all the work they have done in recovering it. I said at the time it was stolen that the relic has no economic value but it is a priceless treasure that links the cathedral’s present foundation with its founding father, St Laurence O’Toole. It gives joy to my heart that the heart has been returned to the city,” the Dean stated.
Assistant Commissioner Leahy said it was a privilege to be able to return the relic.
“As Assistant Commissioner for Dublin it gives me enormous pleasure to return such a valuable relic to its rightful place among the people of Dublin. It is not very often that we get an opportunity to engage in such a positive activity that affects the citywide community and in that regard I am acutely aware of the privilege that has been bestowed upon An Garda Síochána on this occasion. It is appropriate to acknowledge the great work of individual Gardaí who kept their radars on and their minds open in this ongoing investigation and I commend them for their commitment and diligence on this matter. I am personally delighted to return the relic to Christ Church Cathedral where it can again provide a most important and tangible link to our past,” he commented
Following the theft of the heart, Dean Dunne appealed to the person who stole it to return it and he would ask no questions. He said he is happy now to let the Gardaí continue their investigations.
The preserved heart was stolen from the cathedral in March 2012. It was kept in a wooden heart–shaped box sealed within a small iron barred cage which was on the wall of St Laud’s Chapel in the cathedral. It was recovered by Gardaí who have been investigating the theft ever since.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
087 235 6472
Mrs Lynn Glanville
dcodublin@gmail.com