The former Irish masters road race champion Declan Hanrahan feared the worst and released a public appeal for help when he and his family had 13 bikes stolen in a robbery at home two months ago.
While many would have regarded the Hanrahans' hopes of ever seeing the bikes again as next to zero, incredibly there is a happy ending.
Thanks to the prompt report of the burglary in Clonmel in August to the Garda and an investigation since then, most of the bikes have been recovered and returned to their owners.
Of the 13 bikes stolen, ten have now been found by the gardai – recovered in ones and twos in a number of locations – and returned to the family.
The family have now told stickybottle they were very thankful to everyone in the cycling community for spreading news of the thefts – and photos of the bikes – across social media. And they also praised the gardai.
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“Although the theft was absolutely awful and caused us so much stress and upset were were blown away to experience the support from family, friends, the public in general in the quest to find our bikes,” said Nicola Maunsell.
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“The local bike shops were extremely supportive and the cycling community in general were outstanding, we really appreciate everything everyone did for us."
She added the targeting of her’s and Declan’s home and bikes had underlined to them the need for home security.
And she was hopeful their case would also encourage others with valuable bikes to take security precautions.
The haul of stolen bikes included: BMC Gran Fondo, Canyon Ultimate CF Six, three Ridley aluminium bikes, Canyon Torque DH, YT Industries Enduro, Viper XX, Canyon Strive Enduro, one good quality steel bike and a Canyon Dual Suspension X-Country.
Luckily for the family only two of the bikes are outstanding and both at the least expensive of the lot, belonging to their children.
Declan Hanrahan is a well-known member of the cycling community, winning the Masters 50 Irish road race title back in 2015 riding for Carrick Wheelers.
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