Rhino heads and horns have been robbed from the National Museum Archives in Swords in Co. Dublin.
Just after 10:30pm last night three masked men entered the building on the Balheary Road and tied up the security man on duty. The 3 men loaded the Rhino heads and horns from the building into a large white van before fleeing the scene.
Shortly before midnight the security man managed to free himself and contact the Gardai.
The scene has been sealed off for a forensic examination and Gardai are appealing to anyone with any information to come forward. An incident room has been set up at Swords Garda Station and anyone with information is asked to contact 01-666-4700.
The National Museum of Ireland says the security guard who was overpowered was not injured.
Street value of €500,000
The stolen rhinoceros heads have a total of 8 horns that the Museum says have probably been taken to supply the illegal trade in powdered horn that is used in traditional medicines in the Far East.
Their price is based on weight and the total amount stolen could have a street value in the region of €500,000.
The National Museum of Ireland took the decision to remove all rhinoceros horn from display and the stolen specimens were placed in storage over a year ago. Currently there are no rhinoceros horns on display in the museum.
Nigel Monaghan is Keeper with the Natural History Division of the museum. He told Lunchtime here on Newstalk says this was a targeted robbery.
Details of the items stolen are listed below:
