Oliver Cromwell and William of Orange were by any standards deeply contentious figures but their central influence on the course of Irish history cannot be disputed.
The theft of life-size sculptures depicting the pair from Milltown Castle at Charleville in Co Cork back in 2011 was an act of vandalism, so there will be relief that the works of art have finally been recovered after they were abandoned near a derelict outhouse some 30 miles away in Co Clare.
It must be hoped that both limestone statues, which date back to the late 18th century, can be fully restored and returned to a position of prominence at their original home.
