GARDAÍ HAVE RECOVERED four stolen limestone statues including two depicting William of Orange and Oliver Cromwell, which were stolen in Charleville, Cork, in 2011.

Four large limestone statues were stolen from Milltown Castle in July of 2011. Two were statues of eagles which has been mounted on 10ft high pillars and the others were life size busts of William of Orange and Oliver Cromwell.

An extensive garda investigation was carried out at the time but the property was never found.

However, earlier this week a member of the public found four stone statues near a derelict property on lands near Cratloe, Clare.

The local garda investigating the matter remembered the original theft and connected the incidents.

A garda spokesman said: “On the 8th of February 2019 Gardaí recovered the property.

“Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the theft or who has information about how the property ended up on lands in Co. Clare should contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31450.”