An investigation is under way after an All-Ireland football medal was among a number of items stolen during a burglary at the parents' home of a former player in Co Meath.
The medal, which belongs to ex Meath senior footballer Martin O'Connell, was taken on Tuesday evening from the house in Staholmog near Kells.
The medal was presented to Mr O'Connell after Meath's All-Ireland win against Cork in 1987.
An antique ring and a Golden Jubilee commemoration medal were also stolen.
The house was broken into sometime between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday.
The occupants of the house, an elderly couple, were there at the time but were unaware of the burglary.
Two other houses were also broken into in the area around the same time, however nothing was stolen.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area to contact them.
Mr O'Connell has appealed for the return of the items, saying they are of huge sentimental value to his mother.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he explained that he had put the medal onto a golf chain as a birthday present for his mother and she used to wear it for special occasions.
He said he grew up dreaming of becoming an All-Ireland winner and it is very sad that the medal is gone, adding that his mother is the most affected by its loss.
