A GAA footballer is appealing for the return of his wedding ring, which was among e1,500 worth of property stolen from the dressing rooms of a prominent Northside club.
Ronald Malone and his teammates from St Mary’s GAA Club, Saggart, were victims of the theft that occurred last Saturday week (July 5) at the St Sylvester’s GAA Club dressing rooms.
Malahide residents are now being urged to be on the lookout for the ring, which the thieves may try to sell.
Mr Malone said he was sickened to find that his wedding ring had been among the items stolen. Fellow team members had wallets containing cash, mobile phones and jewellery taken while they played on a pitch nearby.
“I was absolutely gutted when I realised what had happened,” Ronald told Northside People.
“It was bad enough that we lost the game and that the weather was so bad, only to find out that our money and phones were gone.
“When I realised I had put my wedding ring into my wallet to keep it safe I was in shock.”
Mr Malone said he was surprised to see that car keys had been left untouched.
“I think they must have been youngsters who did it if they didn’t want to take people’s car keys,” stated Ronald.
“It was most likely an opportunistic robbery.”
Ronald said his wife was very understanding when she heard about the robbery.
She brought him shopping to try and find a replacement ring, but he is still hoping that he may be able to find the stolen one.
“My wife just asked why I had taken it off,” said Ronald. “Then she said it was okay and that nobody had died so it wasn’t the end of the world.
“I don’t have much hope that it will turn up but I am willing to offer a reward on the off chance that someone has found it.”
Ronald pointed out that it was more the sentimental attachment to the ring rather than the cost that concerned him.
“I don’t care about the cost,” he added.
The ring is 18 carat gold with a unique inscription reading: ‘I love you Caroline 18/11/05’ inside the band.
“If it comes down to it, I will have to get a new ring and have it blessed by a priest, but I don’t want to do that,” he added.
“It just won’t be the same as my old one though; it’s no use to whoever has it, so I am pleading for it to be returned.”
John Fanning, secretary at St Sylvester’s GAA Club, said the club is
doing everything it can to help find Mr Malone’s wedding ring.
“This was a very regrettable incident and we are fully investigating the matter,” Mr Fanning told Northside People.
“A notice has been placed on our website asking members to keep an eye
out for the ring and we will do all we can to have it retrieved.
“This sort of thing doesn’t happen very often and it’s a truly dreadful thing for players to have to suffer after a game.”
A spokesman for the Garda Press Office has confirmed that over e1,500
worth of personal belongings was stolen at the St Sylvester’s GAA Club
changing rooms.
“The items taken included wallets, jewellery and trophies,” he said.
Local gardai are following up the incident and an investigation is currently ongoing.
Anyone with information can contact Malahide Garda Station on 6664600.
Meanwhile, if anyone has any information about the whereabouts of
Ronald Malone’s wedding ring, they can contact the Northside People
newsdesk on 8162930 and the information will be passed on to Mr
Malone.
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