‘I’m beyond grateful’ – Maia Dunphy thanks gardaí after late mother’s handbag found in Dublin city centre

Maia Dunphy has thanked gardaí for reuniting her with a precious bag that belonged to her late mother, after it was stolen earlier today in a café.

he broadcaster said the bag, which “can never be replaced”, was her late mother Helen’s and had asked Dubliners in the city centre to keep an eye out for it.

The bag was stolen in a café on Dawson Street on Monday afternoon. She said she was “beyond heartbroken” to lose it.

In an update posted online this evening, Ms Dunphy thanked gardaí at Pearse Street station who “got my mum’s bag back” along with her keys and phone.

“I’m not sure where to begin! I am beyond grateful to the wonderful gardaí at Pearse St station,” she said.

“Losing this bag hit me disproportionately hard, and I am very, very thankful. 

“Thanks to everyone for all the kind comments too. I genuinely thought that by sharing, maybe there was a 0.5pc chance of the bag being spotted in a lane or skip somewhere. I never thought I’d get it, and my phone/ keys/ etc back. I really am indebted to @gardainfo.”

The writer said her late mother’s bag “means so much” and she had only started using it in recent times. 

“I am so grateful to Garda O’Carroll. I also apologise for the state I was in when I met him! Anyone who has been bereaved will understand a trigger like this,” she said.

“I’d only just started using my Mum’s bag & I was disproportionately upset. There’s a story to this bag, it means so much. 

“I didn’t cry for my my Mum over Christmas, when I was trying (in vain) to fill her shoes. But I cried and cried and cried today when her bag was stolen from me. I really am so grateful to Garda O’Carroll.”

Ms Dunphy issued the plea on Twitter this afternoon, she said: “Just had my bag stolen in Costa café on Dawson Street. I am devastated as it was my Mum’s bag. My keys, my phone, everything is gone. But the bag can never be replaced.” 

Helen Dunphy, Maia’s mother, died in February 2022.

“I know it’s a long shot, but I am beyond heartbroken to lose my Mum’s bag. Shout out to anyone working or living in Dublin City to please keep an eye out in lanes or bins for this lovely bag,” Maia said.