Cork woman gets coat with sentimental value back following car theft

CORK woman, Emma Murphy, who had launched an appeal for stolen sentimental items to be returned to her, has confirmed she has been reunited with her ill mother’s favourite coat.

Following a visit to her mother in Marymount Hospice on Monday, Emma returned to her home on Model Farm Road. However, her car was later stolen along with “possessions that meant a lot” to her family.

These items included those which belonged to both her mother and late sister, Sheena.

Sheena, who had breast cancer, died five years ago.

Emma and her family have kept several sentimental items belonging to her sister, including photographs, a Britney Spears perfume, and a scarf, that were all inside the car at the time of its theft.

Also in the car were her mother’s coat, runners, rosary beads, and miraculous medals.

“My mother had asked me to bring over a bag of her valuable possessions, I packed original photos of her [Sheena], a bottle of Britney Spears ‘Curious’ perfume that reminds us of her, and a lovely scarf that belonged to her too.”

She explained: “I forgot to bring the bag in, and when I parked up in my driveway, I forgot to bring them in home.”

On Tuesday morning the car had vanished, and Emma took to 96FM and social media to appeal for the items to be returned.

Her car, which was later located by a local couple, is now in the custody of An Gardaí Síochána.

Emma told PJ Coogan on 96FM’s Opinion Line that among the items found in her car was her mother’s favourite coat which was visible from the outside of the vehicle.

“I could see her green coat, but I couldn’t see anything else ... but I’m at peace with whatever is and isn’t inside there. The coat in itself is enough for me.”

When Emma and her brother visited the vehicle, she was unable to clarify if Sheena’s belongings were still present.

Emma detailed the outpouring of support she received from Cork’s community, telling PJ that she was offered numerous lifts to the hospice as well as commitments from social media users to help her locate the lost valuables, describing the responses as “just incredible.”

“I wanted to thank everyone, the Cork people, they are the kindest people.”

She also spoke of numerous scam callers who contacted her during this troublesome time, attempting to extort money from her for the return of the items.

“There were a few calls and a few messages, and when you’re desperate you’d do anything.

“Luckily my partner warned me off engaging with them. People were asking for €350, but thankfully I didn’t.”