PART OF Wexford’s maritime history has been stolen in a daring raid.

An appeal was this week launched for the return of three large Irish model ships which were stolen from a shed in Wexford over the Christmas period.

The M.V. Kerlogue, M.V. Menapia and Ms. Edenvale model ships were stolen from a shed in the Trinity St. area of Wexford.

The ships, which date back to the 1930s and 1940s, were the models from which the actual vessels were built.

Michael and Anne Murphy from the Friends of the Tall Ships Organisation, (who were custodians of the ships), said they were devastated to learn that the ships were stolen the weekend before Christmas.

“It destroyed Christmas! These ships are irreplaceable,” Mrs. Murphy said.

The shed where the ships were being stored was broken into and the thieves removed a number of items, before lifting a cover from the ships and stealing them.

The Murphy’s believe the ships may have stolen to order.

Mr. Murphy said: “People knew I had the models but I didn’t tell people where they were stored. They belong to Stafford’s steam ship company and go back 75 to 80 years. They were made by the company that built the ships.”

Mr. Murphy said the Kerlogue was four feet long, two feet high and 18 inches wide. He said the Edenvale and the Menapia were six feet long.

Gardaí were baffled as to how the shed was entered as the lock wasn’t broken.

“We had the windows blocked up and the models covered. They cleared a path of items to get the ships out and had to walk past nine houses with the ships, where there must have been a van waiting,” Mr. Murphy added.

He said there was a three quarter inch bolt barring entry to the shed.

“The plate was bent three quarters of an inch out but there was no mark on the door,” he added.

Mrs. Murphy expressed concern that the thief may be someone they know.

Mr. Murphy said the models are specialised items, adding that he doesn’t expect them to be sold in the county as everyone would recognise the names and think them stolen.

“We are concerned that damage will be caused to them…They could even be in England now for all we know. We had them as hidden and as secure as possible,” he said.

“We have now contacted auction houses in Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand. If anyone has any idea or even come across them, they can phone Michael or Anne at 0872869555/0876463570.”

For the full story see this week’s Wexford Echo.