The returned artwork contained a poem mysteriously signed ‘The Pink Panther’
A PIECE of artwork taken from a Fermanagh hotel a year ago has been mysteriously returned – accompanied by a cryptic poem.
The photograph, which was on display at the hotel on Lusty Beg Island, went missing a year ago, with its whereabouts a mystery to hotel staff.
But, on the anniversary of its disappearance, hotel manager Richard Greaves was shocked to find open a Parcel Force delivery earlier today (Tuesday, May 26), which contained the missing artwork.
Also enclosed was an anonymous letter and a poem signed ‘The Pink Panther’.
The photo that was missing for a year
The photograph was of a clay pigeon shoot taken in the area.
A post on the Lusty Beg Facebook page read: “Some months ago, Lusty Beg Island was subject to a terrible theft. One of our treasured Canvas Prints went missing from our toilet corridor… Today, it has been returned by a lovely anonymous lady. The returned canvas was enclosed with a humorous letter explaining the theft, and a framed poem.”
And, seeing the funny side, Manager Richard told the Fermanagh Herald: “I was very annoyed when it went missing as the prints along that corridor were only new. But I found it hilarious to have it back as we assumed it was gone forever.”
He added: “I always new it was some form of joke/bet or drunken behaviour – most bar-related incidents are!”
The attached poem read:
An Art Theft
Kidnapped by art thieves from Lusty Beg,
Extracted by a gang who had consumed a full Stella Keg.
Sailing away in a flotilla of cut throats,
Hidden amongst children in one of the speed boats.
Masteredminded, the escape was in silence and hush,
As we came ashore at a place called Drumrush.
Soon I was positioned in a family’s van,
Seeing sights that would haunt every man!
I cried many tears and developed a stutter,
Victims were stripped naked and beat with a putter.
Eventually I broke free under the cover of night
I made my escape to return from my plight!
The Pink Panther