Heart of Darkness... the deadly curse of St Laurence O’Toole
Thieves who robbed relic were ‘plagued with death’
WHEN you rob the mortal remains of a much-revered saint from within the walls of one of Ireland’s most sacred spaces, it would be foolish to think there would be no divine retribution.
Criminals who stole the 800year-old preserved heart of St Laurence O’Toole from a Dublin cathedral have returned it – because they believed it was ‘cursed’ and was ‘causing death’ among their families.
The Irish Daily Mail can reveal that a well-known criminal and a relative of his, are suspected of being behind the theft of the ancient artefact six years ago.
The Heart of St Laurence O’Toole was stolen from Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin in 2012. The organ had been kept in a wooden heart-shaped reliquary sealed within a small iron-barred box before its theft.
Last week, it was recovered by gardaí.
It’s understood gardaí got a tip off from an anonymous member of the Traveller community that the culprits were ‘willing and able’ to return the stolen relic.
The Heart of St Laurence O’Toole brought ‘only bad luck’ to those who stole it, the caller said.
The caller also told gardaí to go to a specific location in the Phoenix Park to retrieve it. Detectives duly did and the Heart of St Laurence O’Toole was recovered. The
‘It only brought bad luck’
Mail understands that the men suspected of stealing the relic felt it led to ‘immeasurable bad luck’ – leading directly to the ‘death of several family members from heart attacks’.
A senior source said: ‘It is a truly bizarre turn of events.
‘The two men who we suspect made the theft feel as if their families have been plagued with death, particularly heart attacks.
‘A number of their family members have died since they stole it. The suspects strongly believe in superstition, as do their families. The persons gardaí believe were involved in this have a very strong faith in God.
‘They feel cursed, and their families cursed. So they reached out and had the relic returned. ‘It is a turn-up for the books.’ The two chief suspects were previously arrested in connection with the theft within weeks of the robbery. Dr Michael Jackson, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, welcomed the rediscovery of the relic yesterday, which he said had no economic value, but was a priceless treasure that links the cathedral with its founding father. He said: ‘The return of the heart of Laurence O’Toole to Christ Church Cathedral brings great joy to the people of Dublin as Dubliners.
‘For those of us associated with the life of the dioceses, it brings again to the fore the close relationship between Glendalough [where the saint was a monk] and Dublin, a relationship of more than 800 years.
‘Laurence left the monastic city of Glendalough, of which he was Abbot, to become Archbishop of Dublin, cementing a vibrant relationship that continues unabated to this day.’
Dr Jackson extended his ‘deep thanks and warm appreciation’ to gardaí and others who ‘worked tirelessly’ to return the relic. Assistant Garda Commissioner Pat Leahy, who oversees policing in Dublin, last night handed over the relic to the Archbishop at a service in Christ Church.
The heart was stolen on March 12, 2012, by a thief who is believed to have hidden overnight in the cathedral. It was stolen from its iron-bar case. The thief also lit two peace candles at the Trinity altar in the cathedral before leaving.
Gardaí believe the main suspect was working in collaboration with at least one other man – a relation of his, who was also subsequently arrested. No new arrests have been made since the relic was retrieved last week.
The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral said the relic’s recovery is incredible and very exciting.
Dean Dermot Dunne said that there had been speculation that it had left the country and it was news to him that the relic had not left Dublin.
Returned it to gardaí