Removal of Mother and Child Statue in Finglas is despicable – Rock

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West, Noel Rock has today (Monday) described the alleged robbery of the Mother and Child statue in Finglas village as despicable and is urging anyone with information relating to the incident to contact Gardaí.

The statue, by artist Elizabeth McLaughlin, has been a landmark in the Finglas area since 1996 and takes pride of place in the community. Its removal followed an incident when a tree fell on the statue during the Storm Ophelia, loosening it from its base.

“A number of men were seen putting the statue into a vehicle, though Dublin City Council has stated that the men were not part of a Council work crew.

“The report that this statue, which takes pride of place in Finglas village, has been potentially stolen concerns me greatly. Especially during a period where people across the country were looking out for themselves, their families and their communities; it pains me to imagine that people have potentially taken advantage of this.

“There is of course the possibility that this was the act of a Good Samaritan who saw the statue knocked off its base and decided to retrieve it for safe keeping – however it remains a mystery as to why they wouldn’t inform the owners of the statue in that case,” said Deputy Rock.

“I have spoken with Gardaí today who deployed a number of vehicles to search for both the statue and the vehicle connected with the incident according to eyewitness accounts, but they have had no luck in locating either so far.

“The community are disgusted by these actions and I would urge anybody with any information to contact Finglas Garda Station,” said the Fine Gael TD.

“I would call on those who took the statue to put it back in its rightful place. The Finglas community are immensely proud that this work of art represents to the area and those who I have spoken to want to see its quick return.

“I understand the Gardaí are continuing to investigate the matter and I hope this will result in the Mother and Child statue being restored to its rightful place,” Deputy Rock said.