Daringartheistat RussboroughHouse

October 2002

The daring robbery of priceless paintings from Russborough House brings into sharp focus once again the unique art treasures which are housed in the west Wicklow stately home, and their vulnerability.

It was the fourth time that the Beit Foundation’s collections of masters has been targeted by thieves - and the second time in little over a year that there has been a robbery at Russborough.

Paintings by Rubens, Gainsborough and Belotto are amongst those to have been taken - with South Dublin crime figures in the frame as prime suspects for each of the robberies at the house.

The latest raid on Russborough, in which five masterpieces were snatched has forced the early closure of the venue for the winter.

The entire Beit collection, valued at €40 million, has been removed from Russborough House for security reasons.

Acting on garda advice following the robbery on Sunday week last, the Alfred Beit Foundation has ‘ this year and exceptionally, decided to bring forward the end of season closure of the house so as to safeguard the property and contents while facilitating the ongoing garda investigations’.

In a statement, the Alfred Beit Foundation explained that ‘for greater security, the Beit collection has been temporarily removed from the house and with immediate effect visitor facilities will cease for this year.’

Under normal circumstances Russborough closes to the public at the end of October and the foundation says it regrets any inconvenience to members of the public.

‘ The Alfred Beit Foundation is committed to maintaining Russborough and its collection for public enjoyment and looks forward to the reopening of the house as usual next April,’ the statement concludes.

Superintendent John Murphy from Baltinglass Garda Station who is heading up the investigation into the latest robbery says they have got a good response to their appeals for information.

A car was spotted travelling at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour through Blessington in the direction of Dublin at around 6 a.m. in the morning of the robbery.

A reconstruction of the heist is expected to be staged on the next edition of RTE’s Crimeline programme.