Important artefacts dating from the Bronze Age which were recovered during a Garda raid on a house in Co Tipperary have been put on show by the National Museum.
The artefacts were found by a former wildlife ranger and his son using metal detectors. But by hoarding the treasures in their home, they broke the law, and the Art and Antiques Unit of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, acting on information, caught up with them earlier this year and recovered the items.
The men, Mr Anthony Molloy and his son, Kevin, from Rathcabbin in Tipperary, subsequently appeared before Birr District Court where last Friday, after evidence was given that they had co-operated with the National Museum, they received the Probation Act.
Mr Anthony Molloy had worked for Dúchas and when he retired received his metal detector as a gift.
The artefacts uncovered included Bronze Age daggers, hundreds of perfectly preserved coins, musket balls, buckles, tools and many household items.
One of the most unusual of the 800 artefacts was a 9th-century gilt bronze medallion featuring a crucifix in a circular frame and similar to others taken from Viking graves in Norway.
Dr Eamonn Kelly, Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum, said a failure to acquire or document the material would have been a significant loss historically.
"The 800 items are in 40 different categories from 18 different locations and cover all periods from the late Bronze Age down to the 19th century," he said.
"There are some prehistoric items associated with settlements along the Shannon in the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age.
"There is a very important harness mount which is very beautifully decorated, made from bronze and gilt-gold covered.
"It's a very interesting piece. It was found close to the ancient monastery at Lorrha founded by St Ruan in north Tipperary. This was a 6th-century foundation.
"There is also a range of later medieval items associated with settlements and castle sites, and we have military items associated with the Williamite Wars and the Napoleonic War period.
Dr Kelly said that, under legislation introduced in 1994, it was an offence not to report archaeological finds within a period of hours to the National Museum.
He also stressed it was illegal to hunt for archaeological treasures with a metal detector.
It will be next year before the hoard goes on public display.