Daughter's appeal after late father's jewellery is stolen in burglary

The heartbroken family of Athboy undertaker Tommy Mullen who died last November has made an emotional appeal for information after jewellery belonging to their late father was taken during a burglary yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Tommy's daughter Anita Swords explained that the items of jewellery taken during the burglary at the family home at Ballyfallon, Athboy, had huge sentimental value as they were worn every day by her late father Tommy.

Anita said: “My mother left at 1pm and was back at 2.30pm so we know it happened during that time. They pried open a door and ransacked two rooms.

"They took Daddy’s wedding ring and he always wore a Claddagh ring that belonged to our great grandmother that was handed down to him and that was taken too. The tie pin that he always wore doing funerals was taken and a Celtic Cross necklace that he always wore.

"They also took my mother's engagement ring and eternity ring that Daddy gave to her and a ring he gave her for her 18th birthday."

"It's not even a year since Daddy died. We have never been broken into before. We have never felt unsafe. It is a very quiet area.

"We are appealing to anyone with dashcam footage driving along the Athboy-Kildalkey Road or anyone who may have noticed a car parked up or anything suspicious to contact Kells Garda Station.

"They could have taken to fields and come out on the Trim-Athboy Road either."

Anita said the Claddagh ring and the Celtic cross were fairly distinctive and if anyone sees them or is offered them, she to contact Gardai.

" I don't know if there is any chance of getting them back but we have to try.

"These were the only things we had of his. That and his guitar.

"They aren't worth a huge amount but they meant so much to us," said Anita.

Anyone with information that could lead to the return of the jewellery is asked to contact Kells Garda Station on (046) 9280820.