Members of trust say art heist may force closure of Russborough House

A GANG of thieves that stole five priceless paintings may finally force the closure of Russborough House, the stately pile that houses one of the State’s finest art collections.

The Beit Foundation, a charitable trust set up to administer the house and collection, will meet later this week to discuss what action to take following Sunday’s raid.

Members of the foundation admitted yesterday security at the building would not deter thieves determined to break in and steal from the collection despite being upgraded following a theft last year.