Gold hoard would need 24-hour guard protection

Limavady Borough Council's Director of Development, Valerie Richmond, told councillors at a recent meeting that ongoing discussions with the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin about securing a loan of the ancient treasure. The idea was initially suggested by the current Mayor of Limavady, Cathal O'hOisin.

Valerie Richmond said that in the talks to date, the security issue has been a key one. Before any loan of the gold would be considered officials from the museum would have to be satisfied that security requirements were adequate.

Councillors were told by Ms Richmond:"It would need 24-hour security. We don't want a situation where someone could crash through the door and snatch and grab."

The SDLP's Michael Coyle said "time was rubbing out" on the issue.

"I'm extremely disappointed there is not more positive news coming back. I wonder whether we should go beyond the Museum itself and look at it politically in some way, write to the minister with responsibility. That might be a better way. Time is getting very short. Quite a few arrangements would need to be put in place."

The National Museum of Ireland describes the artefacts as "the most significant hoard of Celtic period gold objects to have been found in Ireland."