Reward for information after mother’s bag snatched as she visited son’s grave

A businessman has offered a €1,000 reward for information which leads to the return of a handbag which was stolen from a bereaved mother as she visited her son’s grave.

Lifeline Ambulance director, David Hall, said he was so touched by Joan Gleeson’s plight following the smash and grab theft at St Oliver’s Cemetery, Cork, on Sunday, that he decided to put up the reward.

“This woman has gone through enough. We just want to know where the bag is so its contents can be given back to her. It’s as simple as that,” he said.

Mr Hall made the offer after hearing Joan on Newstalk’s lunchtime show with Jonathan Healy. Her plight was first highlighted by the Irish Examiner.

Joan’s son, Donnacha, died suddenly two months ago just a few days short of his 22nd birthday. She was visiting his grave at around 3.15pm on Sunday when thieves smashed the tinted, boot window of her jeep and stole her handbag.

It contained a small black notebook which Joan used to take special notes and details around the time Donnacha died. It also contained treasured personal mementoes of her son, including some of the last photographs taken of him and several letters of support Joan received after his death.

Joan, from Ovens, said she drew great comfort and strength from the treasured items. “I have a pain in my heart every day but this has really set me back,” she said.

“Nobody can bring my son back but if I could just get these items back, it would give me some comfort.”

She warned people visiting the cemetery off Model Farm Rd not to go there alone. “I would urge the authorities to wake up and either install CCTV cameras or put security up there. The ball is in their court now. They’ve been warned.”

She said she still hopes that her handbag contents will be found. “If I don’t have hope I don’t have anything else,” she said.

“But a complete stranger — young man about Donnacha’s age, who was wearing a naval service uniform, called to my door yesterday with a bouquet of flowers. He said she heard my story and was touched by it. He was a lovely young man and I got such warmth coming from him.

Garda Superintendent Con Cadogan appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious at the cemetery to contact gardaí. He also urged people visiting cemeteries or parks to be security aware. Anyone with information should contact gardaí in Ballincollig on 021 4214680.

* Follow updates on Twitter under #joansbag