National Museum welcomes Dundalk District Court outcome
Silver medieval coins recovered as part of Garda investigation
The National Museum of Ireland has welcomed the outcome of a recent case in Dundalk District Court on Wednesday 31 May 2023, regarding the possession of unreported archaeological objects.
Postings on a range of social media sites alleged that an individual was involved in the unlicensed use of a metal detector to search for archaeological objects and may have been in possession of these objects.
A subsequent search of a premises recovered a range of artefacts including silver medieval coinage, part of a medieval horse harness as well as a detection device.
The use of metal detectors to search for artefacts and the reporting of the discovery of artefacts in the State are both regulated under the terms of the National Monuments Act 1930 to 2014.
The case in Dundalk was heard by Judge Gearty, who convicted the individual of an offence under Section 4(1) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994 and fined him €1000.
The National Museum of Ireland, as part of its role to protect Ireland’s portable archaeological heritage, monitors online postings that may advocate for the unlicensed searching for archaeological objects and staff routinely assist An Garda Síochána in investigating the possession of unreported archaeological objects and related offences.
Irish legislation, in line with international treaties such as the Valetta Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage (1992), requires people to apply for a consent to use detection devices to search for archaeological objects.
This requirement is in place to protect our nation’s heritage. In addition, all archaeological objects without a known owner are property of the State. The unregulated use of detection devices poses a serious risk to Ireland’s archaeological heritage.
Unlicensed archaeological searches risk damaging objects and losing the potential research value of a discovery by damaging the context of the find. This activity may result in the irreplaceable loss of knowledge of the past.
Speaking on the outcome of the case, Keeper of Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, Maeve Sikora said:
“The National Museum of Ireland welcomes the significant judgement made in the Dundalk District Court and hopes that this will lead to greater awareness of laws in place to protect Ireland’s irreplaceable and unique archaeological heritage, and of the sanctions for breaking those laws.
“Ireland’s archaeological heritage belongs to everyone. Artefacts have survived for centuries and often millennia and should be available to be studied and enjoyed for generations more to come.
“No individual has the right to unnecessarily risk the preservation of our priceless archaeological heritage and we ask the public to be vigilant and to report any potential unlicensed metal detecting to An Garda Síochána.
“The National Museum of Ireland routinely deals with reports of discovery of archaeological objects found by chance from a wide range of time periods and contexts.
“Such discoveries are reportable by law, and we care for these objects on behalf of the State.
“The Museum builds relationships with finders and their communities through this work and we would also like to thank the many genuine finders who contact us on a daily basis to report their discoveries.
“We sincerely thank An Garda Síochána Dundalk Garda Station for their support in investigating and obtaining this conviction.
“ We also want to thank the the general public for their continued vigilance in safeguarding our portable heritage.”
Under the terms of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014, anyone who finds an archaeological object must report it within 96 hours.
Finds can be reported to the National Museum of Ireland by email [email protected] or by phoning 01-6777444