Five tonnes of Lego earmarked for African communities stolen
Five tonnes of Lego which was earmarked for a community in Africa has been stolen from Laois.
The theft took place between February 2 and March 7 of this year, with the charity founder estimating the monetary value was somewhere in the tens of thousands.
Taking to Facebook during the week, Evin Joyce appealed to the public for information on the missing Lego and the shipping container it was in. Five tonnes of Lego which was earmarked for a community in Africa has been stolen from Laois. Pic: Ailbhe Ulemu/ Instagram
'Greetings from Dublin Airport where I have just checked in to my flights to Malawi,' he said, 'This will be the first time in five years flying to Malawi where I haven't absolutely maxxed out my baggage allowance with Lego and school books that have been so generously donated by yourselves.
'The reason I have no Lego or school books is today is because they have been stolen along with the shipping container that they were in.'
Evin went on to explain that the items were stolen between February and March from Clonaslee, Co Laois.
The humanitarian worker said the container was 20ft long, grey and 'practically new.'
He said: 'It contained about five tonnes of Lego. The code number on the shipping container is SKIU 2923880. It didn't just disappear so if you know someone who's working in haulage or shipping, can you please share this message with them so they can check the code number.
'The container may have been repainted but it won't change the condition — it was in excellent condition.' Evin, who works on Ulemu with his sister Ailbhe, added that it was worth in the tens of thousands of euros and appealed to anyone who spots large quantities of Lego for sale. Pic: Instagram
Evin, who works on Ulemu with his sister Ailbhe, added that the Lego was worth in the tens of thousands of euros and appealed to anyone who spots large quantities of Lego for sale.
'That's the monetary value of the Lego to the people who stole it — it also has a huge value to the children and the nursery teachers that we are working with in Malawi,' he said.
'Let's find this, please, it's out there. Didn't just disappear.'
A statement from An Garda Síochána confirmed that investigations were 'ongoing.'
They said: 'Gardaí received report of an alleged incident of theft, that occurred at an exterior location in Portlaoise, Co Laois between Sunday 2nd February and Friday 7th March 2025.
'A shipping container is reported as having been taken. Investigations are ongoing.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Major security breach as Cristiano Ronaldo is grabbed by pitch invader before guards are forced to intervene
CRISTIANO RONALDO was grabbed by a fan amid a shocking security breach at the Nations League semi-final. Desperate stewards scrambled to intervene when an intruder got on the pitch as the superstar's Portugal team prepared to take on Germany. Advertisement 1 A fan got all the way out to Ronaldo Ronaldo looked stunned when the supporter got his hands round him. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island Kyle's replacement revealed as he's axed after machete arrest
LOVE Island has revealed Kyle Ashman's replacement after the hunk was axed over a machete attack arrest. Advertisement 2 New lad Conor is looking for his perfect match Credit: ITV 2 Kyle Ashman has been axed from Love Island Credit: Instagram He was released without charge and maintains his innocence. Tonight, the show revealed professional rugby player Conor Phillips, 25, will take his place in the starting line-up. The Irishman said he's looking for "someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman." When it comes to turn offs, he says: "Being too needy, or needing to do everything together. I like someone to be independent and do their own thing and then we come together and do our thing." Advertisement READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND In his official announcement pic, Conor is flanked by beauties Helena Ford and Megan Clarke. Earlier today, 'I am not a violent person and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation.' Masked thugs stormed a wake in Stafford and hacked at a dad with a blade in February. Advertisement Most read in Love Island In a video uploaded to Instagram tonight, the aspiring reality star revealed Love Island star sensationally axed from show after revelation he was arrested over machete attack on dad just months ago Speaking from inside a house, he said: "I'm not a bad guy, honestly. I'm a normal guy from a normal place. An opportunity arose to find love and I grabbed it with both hands, and it's been taken away from me. "I've seen the support pages and, who knows, maybe I'll get the chance to go on Casa Amor or as a bombshell, go back in and show you who I really am. Show you I'm not a bad guy. We'll see." Advertisement Love Island returns Monday 9th June at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
Sunday World
9 hours ago
- Sunday World
Sentencing for garda who incited men to rape woman adjourned after he's hospitalised
Shane Flanagan (39) also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material The sentence hearing for a garda who admitted inciting two other men to rape a woman and to impersonating her online has been adjourned as he is hospital. Shane Flanagan (39) with an address in Co. Clare pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court earlier this year to two counts of inciting two men to rape a woman on dates between November and December 2020. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangerment, in that he intentionally or recklessly engaged in impersonating the woman in Facebook communications, and on the website and in which communications invited persons unknown to visit violence upon her and two others, thereby creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm on dates between 2018 and 2020. Shane Flanagan News in 90 June 4th Flanagan also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on January 7, 2021. Defence senior counsel Padraig Dwyer told the Central Criminal Court today that his client was not present as he had been admitted to hospital earlier this week. Mr Dwyer handed a medical report to the court. He asked Mr Justice Paul McDermott to adjourn the sentence hearing for two weeks when an updated medical report will be provided to the court. Mr Dwyer also told the court that his instructing solicitor would undertake to contact the Chief Solicitor's Office if his client was released from hospital. Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, prosecuting, said the complainant, who was in court, have been made aware of the situation. Mr Justice McDermott adjourned the case for mention later this month and directed an updated medical report should be provided to the court on that date. Ms Lawlor told the court during a previous hearing that the victim wishes to maintain her anonymity, but has no difficulty with Flanagan being identified.
