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Manannán Mac Lir: Games of Thrones sculptor's statue found Manannán Mac Lir: Games of Thrones sculptor's statue found
(35 minutes later)
A six-feet sculpture of a Celtic sea god that was stolen from Binevenagh Mountain, near Limavady, in County Londonderry has been recovered by soldiers on a training exercise.A six-feet sculpture of a Celtic sea god that was stolen from Binevenagh Mountain, near Limavady, in County Londonderry has been recovered by soldiers on a training exercise.
Manannán Mac Lir, which is made out of fibre glass and stainless steel was stolen last month.Manannán Mac Lir, which is made out of fibre glass and stainless steel was stolen last month.
The Ministry of Defence have said it was located in a forest by members of the Royal Irish Regiment.The Ministry of Defence have said it was located in a forest by members of the Royal Irish Regiment.
The statue was installed last year and was a popular tourist attraction.The statue was installed last year and was a popular tourist attraction.
Alan Robinson, the mayor of Limavady, said police told him there seemed to be some damage to the statue.Alan Robinson, the mayor of Limavady, said police told him there seemed to be some damage to the statue.
"The police officer in question said there appeared to some damage around its head and whether or not that could be repaired was a matter for a sculpture to determine," he said."The police officer in question said there appeared to some damage around its head and whether or not that could be repaired was a matter for a sculpture to determine," he said.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Soldiers from 2nd Batallion Royal Irish Regiment were deployed by helicopter to the north Antrim Coast last night for a weekend exercise.In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Soldiers from 2nd Batallion Royal Irish Regiment were deployed by helicopter to the north Antrim Coast last night for a weekend exercise.
"Whilst trekking through Binevenagh forest near Magilligan strand they discovered the missing statue and immediately alerted the PSNI."Whilst trekking through Binevenagh forest near Magilligan strand they discovered the missing statue and immediately alerted the PSNI.
'Detached'
"The Ministry of Defence is delighted this unique statue has been found.""The Ministry of Defence is delighted this unique statue has been found."
Sergeant Major Wallace Mehaffey said the statue was found 300 metres from its original position and was badly damaged.
He said the base of it had been "ripped of its mount" and part of the head was detached.
Police said they were pleased the statue had been recovered and appealed to anyone with information about its theft to contact them.Police said they were pleased the statue had been recovered and appealed to anyone with information about its theft to contact them.
They said a group of ramblers spotted the statue and alerted the soldiers.They said a group of ramblers spotted the statue and alerted the soldiers.
Those who stole the statue last month left a wooden cross with the words, 'You shall have no other gods before me' in its place.Those who stole the statue last month left a wooden cross with the words, 'You shall have no other gods before me' in its place.
Sculptor John Sutton, who has worked on the Game of Thrones television series, said that it would have taken a number of men with angle grinders several hours to remove the £10,000 figure from its base.Sculptor John Sutton, who has worked on the Game of Thrones television series, said that it would have taken a number of men with angle grinders several hours to remove the £10,000 figure from its base.
The theft prompted a campaign for its safe return, and led to a 'missing persons appeal' by police.The theft prompted a campaign for its safe return, and led to a 'missing persons appeal' by police.
Earlier this month, Limavady Borough Council had voted to replace the stolen artwork with a sculpture "as similar to the original as possible".Earlier this month, Limavady Borough Council had voted to replace the stolen artwork with a sculpture "as similar to the original as possible".