Popular Offaly man had his bike stolen twice in one day

CLARA man Bertie McMahon managed to track down the person who stole his beloved bike only to find that it had been stolen again, this time in Tullamore.

Bertie's bicycle was bequeathed to him by his good friend Paddy Dolan in 2013 and it meant a lot to him. He went everywhere on his bicycle organising the St Patrick's Day Parade and many other events in Clara.

However, on November 16 while he was visiting a friend on River Street the bicycle was stolen.

''First I thought it was just some of my friends playing a trick on me. But after an hour I realised the bike was gone.''

But with a bit of amateur sleuthing from Bertie and with the help of the Gardai who at his request viewed CCTV footage from various shops, Bertie managed to learn that the culprit had taken the bike onto the train at Clara station heading for Tullamore.

''I did a bit of Columbo work, I started checking out some of the cameras that were in the town, and I contacted the Gardai and I told them of the various cameras I would like them to look at. I got great support from them. They got a suspect from that and Gardai are dealing with him at the moment.''

When the man in question was finally tracked down he told Gardai he had left it in a park in Tullamore where it was stolen again.

Bertie is now appealing to anyone who might have seen the bicycle. It's a silver sports bicycle. He said it was stolen sometime after 2pm on November 16 as the suspect boarded the 2.20pm train from Clara to Tullamore on that day.

''The bike means so much to me because Paddy Dolan was a long term school friend and the man that got me back into training and he did a lot for me. I would love to have it back as it holds special memories for me'', said Bertie.

But the story doesn't end there as Bertie has since been donated a brand new bike.

Having heard of his plight Brendan Buggy contacted Bertie to tell him he was going to buy a new bicycle for him. ''He got me a lovely new bike. I am overwhelmed by it. He said I want to get that bike for you. I know you depend on the bike and you went miles organising parades. I can't thank him enough, he is a great guy,'' added Bertie. ''Kevin Casey in Tullamore delivered the bike for me and I also want to thank him. ''

Bertie is still anxious to get his old bicycle back as he said some of the last words Paddy Dolan spoke to him were ''I want you to always remember me when you have this bike.''

Anyone who may have spotted Bertie's Bicycle is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 0579327600.

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