Heart of Dublin's patron saint found six years after being stolen

An 800 year old relic stolen from Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral in 2012 has been found six years after its theft. In a intelligence led operation the Irish police (An Garda Síochána) found the missing heart of Lorcán Ua Tuathail, also known as Saint Laurence O'Toole (1128 – 14 November 1180), undamaged and wrapped in plastic in Phoenix Park (Páirc an Fhionnuisce). It has been reported that a tip-off led to the discovery and it has been suggested that the unidentified thieves were anxious for its return as they thought it was cursed and caused family members' illnesses.

Lorcán Ua Tuathail (Saint Laurence O'Toole) was Archbishop of Dublin at the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland. He was born in Castledermot (Irish: Diseart Diarmad) in County Kildare (Contae Chill Dara) and rose to the position of Abbot of Glendalough at the age of 25. In 1161 he was elected as Archbishop of Dublin. Lorcán died when in Normandy on 14 November 1180. Due to a number of miracles associated with him, many said to have taken place at his tomb, he was declared a saint in 1225, by Pope Honorius III. His heart was  returned to Ireland and was preserved in Christ Church Cathedral since the 13th century. Following the discovery, the heart of St Laurence O’Toole has now been returned to the Cathedral.