26-05-2025
Investigation launched after five tonnes of Lego stolen from Midlands charity
Charity workers have pleaded with the thief or thieves to return the stolen blocks
Ailbhe Joyce and her brother Evin began collecting Lego in the container in 2021
Gardaí have launched an investigation after five tonnes of Lego blocks were stolen from a charity in the Midlands.
Laois Live report that the blocks were inside a shipping container which was filled with items, including school books, destined for a community in Malawi.
The Lego was donated over many months by children around Ireland.
It was due to be shipped to Chisi Island and Sitima Parish by Evin Joyce and his sister Ailbhe. The two humanitarian workers from Glenbarrow, Co Laois, run Ulemu, a charity that helps to educate children in poor and rural communities.
The shipping container was stolen between February 2 and March 7, from Clonaslee village in Laois.
'My parents noticed it was gone when they went to put more donations of Lego into the container on March 7,' Evin told
'The schoolbooks were sets of primary school readers for classes from Junior Infants to 3rd class. They were donated by primary schools mainly in Laois and Offaly.
'While these books will not be of great monetary value, they could provide a useful lead as the names of the schools that donated them were often stamped inside the front covers.'
Evin said that the Lego, which was mostly packed in large Glanbia Milk Powder Bags have a resale value of approximately €50,000 based on prices on Done Deal and in second-hand shops.
'If anyone has seen large quantities or a steady supply of second-hand Lego for sale recently, this could be a useful lead,' he explained.
'The shipping container is 20 feet long, practically new in condition, painted grey, and has this code number: SKIU 292388.0.'
Evin has appealed directly to the thief to return the stolen goods.
Image: Evin Joyce
'As well as appealing to anyone who may have seen the container, Lego or schoolbooks, we'd like to appeal to the people who stole it – you probably didn't know who it was intended for, now you do. We'll be happy just to have these things back, in whole or in part. Please just leave them somewhere they'll be found.'
The donated blocks were due to be distributed to preschools and after-school homework clubs.
'It might seem like just a toy, but this Lego is a very important teaching tool for the children here,' Evin said.
'The preschools we are working with have no infrastructure, our blackboards are a sheet of plywood painted black.
'Children learn outside under the shade of trees – their seats are worn-out canoes we have bought from fishermen on the lake,' he added.
Evin said the Lego and school books give the children a chance to learn to read and write.
'It's really demoralising to imagine all the efforts made to gather them, from hundreds of families and several schools across Ireland, will have only been to enrich criminals, instead of improving the chances of literacy for some of the world's most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.'
The Irish Aid worker spoke to Sunday World from Chisi Island where he is working with Ulemu volunteers.
'[We're] preparing our accounts ahead of the harvest next month to see how much maize and beans we can afford to buy that will be provided as school meals on the island over the next year.
Ailbhe Joyce and her brother Evin began collecting Lego in the container in 2021
News in 90 Seconds - May 26th 2025
'Over the last year, we served nutritious school meals to 550 children on the island, 5 days per week, throughout the hunger season from November to April.
'If anyone would like to donate to the project, they simply need to hit the 'Donate' button on our website or just go straight to our GoFundMe.'
While the container itself is suspected to be the thief's target, Evin has invited 'anyone who has useful information' to contact Gardai in Portaloise on +353578674100.
