A missing giant ice-cream cone has been returned to its owner in Co Donegal – after locals put a bit of heat on the thief.
The large replica 99 was taken from outside the Circle K garage at Glencar in Letterkenny during the current warm spell.
A SOS was sent out to see if enough publicity could be whipped up to “cone-r” the culprits and solve the cold case.
Gardaí issued an appeal and revealed they had CCTV footage of the theft.
Garda Gráinne Doherty pleaded with anyone who came across the cone to get in touch with Letterkenny station.
“Somebody has seen this cone,” Garda Doherty said.
“If a giant ice-cream cone has appeared in your livingroom or your friend’s apartment, somebody knows something about this these things are quite expensive and times are hard for businesses. We are anxious to have this item returned to the owner.”
Garda Doherty added: “To whoever did take it, it might have been a moment of madness, drop it back.”
After trying “hundreds and thousands” of different avenues of inquiry, the cone has managed to find its way back to its rightful owners.
It has not been confirmed where exactly the cone was taken on its journey.
A spokesperson for the garage said they were just delighted to be reunited with the giant cone.
“We would like to thank the individual who helped us retrieve the cone. Let your friends know it’s safe after its adventure,” laughed a spokesperson for the garage.
Bizarrely, there have been a number of similar thefts in recent months in and around Letterkenny at Tobins filling station and also Callaghan’s XL shop.