Emotional appeal for 'priceless' watches stolen from Louth family

A dying Co Louth father had two watches engraved as heirlooms for his sons. On Saturday night, they were stolen.

A family in Co Louth has issued a heart-rending appeal via social media for the return of two watches stolen in a weekend burglary.

(Stephen Carroll with his sons Senan and Keelan)

The watches - an Omega Constellation and an Omega Seamaster - were owned by dad Stephen Carroll (38) of Blackrock in Co Louth, who tragically passed away from kidney cancer on November 17 last.

The watches - gifts to Stephen for his 21st and 30th birthdays - were engraved with messages to his sons Senan (10) and Keelan (8), prior to his passing.

Stephen had intended that the watches be givent to his young sons on their 18th birthdays by his wife Breffnie.

One (the Constellation) read "To Keelan love Daddy X" while the Seamaster bore the message "To Senan love Daddy X"

Unfortunately, the watches were stolen in a burglary at Stephen's parents' house in Blackrock on Saturday night.

"I am appealing to whoever is reading this message to share this post," Stephen's sister-in-law Kerrie Carroll wrote in a post on Facebook.

"In the hope that someone, somewhere has a conscience and returns these watches to an utterly devastated family."

Stephen's brother Adele also appeared on the Ray D'Arcy show this morning to appeal for the watches' safe return, emphasising that because of the engravings, they are worthless to anyone but the family.

"These watches obviously have a significant importance for us, but the people that have taken them have no idea of that significance," she said.

"There was a lot taken but just these two watches are of utmost importance.

"The significance of them - I just can't get that across."

Tragically, Adele also said that the family had arranged for the watches to be placed in safety deposit boxes today.

Here's hoping that anyone who knows anything about the watches does the decent thing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí in Dundalk on 042-9335577, or email the family anonymously and directly on [e-mail]