Outrage at stolen sculpture in Cobh

The hunt is on after a wildlife sculpture, which was part of a public art installation in Cobh, funded and planned by Cork Tidy Towns, was stolen on Wednesday after being in place little over a week.

Posting on social media the Cobh Tidy Towns group said the sculpture, located at Velvets House Cross Roundabout and created by Emma Jane Rushworth, a specialist in Wire Garden sculpture, had been stolen.

“Shame on the individuals who cut one of the beautiful herons from its fixture. Shame on you for sneering in the face of the people of Cobh who fundraised, planned and installed this beautiful piece of work for the community.” 

 Passage West Councillor Marcia D’Alton said she was “devastated” for “Passage West’s sister town” and felt deeply for them.

“Last night, one of the sculptures was cut off and stolen. This kind of thing so rarely happens but when it does, it is a wrench to the soul.” 

On Twitter, Cobh Tidy Towns member Ken Curtin said the theft was “soul-destroying.” “This superb public art designed Emma Jane Rushworth was one of our biggest Cobh Tidy Town projects in recent years. Only in place a little over a week when one of the Herons was stolen last night. If you see it for sale anywhere, please contact Gardaí.” 

 The Tidy Towns group said that a statement had been made to Cobh Gardai and anyone who had seen any suspicious activity at the roundabout on Wednesday night was asked to contact Cobh Gardaí on 021-4908530.