A life-sized steel sculpture of a man stolen from Kilkenny Castle Park this week has been found dumped beside the River Nore.
The 400 lb sculpture was part of the art display in the park for Kilkenny Arts Festival, which ended yesterday.
The life-size steel sculpture is of a man sitting on a park bench. It is dressed in the blue and gold colours of Tipperary and was taken between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The piece was attached to the bench and on Friday night was found near the River Nore. Although the bench was slightly damaged, the sculpture was intact.
The sculpture was one of 10 in the park by US artist Jim Collins.
A similar sculpture of a man on a bench, but with the Kilkenny colours of black and amber, has been bought by the local Langton House Hotel on John Street.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the said that the sculpture was now outside in front of the hotel. "It's in black and amber so it will be great for the All-Ireland."
It is believed that over €3,000 was paid for the sculpture. When the other sculpture was stolen it was valued at around €4,000.
The director of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ms Claudia Woolgar, said yesterday she was relieved the stolen sculpture had been found."He seems to have been for a little adventure, but thank goodness he's back."
Gardaí said the theft had to have been carried out by at least two men because of the weight and size of the piece.