Relic of St Laurence O'Toole Stolen
The 12th Century preserved heart of the Patron Saint of Dublin, Saint Laurence O'Toole, has been stolen from Christ Church Cathedral.
The heart of St Laurence O'Toole had been kept in a wooden heart shaped container sealed within a small iron barred box. The Archbishop St Laurence O'Toole was born born as Lorcán Ua Tuathail in Castledermot, Co Kildare in 1128 and known as Laurence O'Toole, died November 1180 in Normandy France. His heart was preserved in Christ Church Cathedral since the 13th century and has been a major pilgrimage site since the medieval period until the present day. The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral and the diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, the Most Reverend Dermot Dunne stated: "I am devastated that one of the treasured artifacts of the cathedral is stolen. It has no economic value but it is a priceless treasure that links our present foundation with its founding father, St Laurence O'Toole." Source: http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0303/laurenceotoole.html