A caller who featured on Wednesday’s episode of RTE’s Liveline with host Joe Duffy revealed her car was robbed with her sewing machine 'Susie', and a ‘loved’ quilt she had been making for weeks had been inside the vehicle.
In a turn of luck, Garda shared an update on Twitter reuniting the sewing machine and quilt with its owner.
Sharing the reunion, Gardaí wrote: “Gardaí investigating the theft of a vehicle in Monasterevin, on Tuesday have recovered it & arrested 2 males.
Along with the vehicle a number of items of sentimental value including a sewing machine & quilt which was being made for a family member's wedding were recovered.”
Speaking to Liveline, Martina explained that she took up quilting during the pandemic and had been working on the quilt for weeks for her niece’s wedding..
Martina told Joe: “I came in from my friend's last night, and this morning I discovered the car wasn’t there, I rang the Guards, apart from the car, a quilt I have been making since January from my niece, it was one of the biggest projects, I only started sewing during the pandemic, I took up the sewing machine.”
“The quilting just took my fancy, my niece is getting married in September, I decided to take on this project, because I didn't have enough space, I went out to my friend in Stradbally, I came home yesterday, I just feel like crying."
Martina revealed it took her three days with her friend Jackie to get the back of the quilt done.
Joe Duffy said to Martina: “Why aren’t you crying over your car, you’re more concerned about the quilt.”
Martina described her car that was stolen, and said: “It’s a silver Nissan March, it’s a Japanese import, 131-D-35035, there’s no hood caps on it, it was stolen in the Monasterevin area, it was stolen at 10:45pm last night, they went into the local garage to put petrol in it, and didn’t pay for the petrol, and legged.”
“They broke one of the side glasses off the door, it’s an automatic.”
“The quilt was in the back of the car with my sewing machine. It’s the car, the quilt and the sewing machine.”
“I don’t do much because I’m on disability, but it’s one of the only things keeping me going.”
Martina has arthritis and does most of the sewing on her machine, and has put around 4 weeks into making the quilt, which was a labour of love.
She revealed she has suffered from depression and finds mindfulness and sewing beneficial.
John O'Donnell owner of sewingmachines.ie called Liveline to offer Martina a replacement sewing machine to replace her beloved "Susie".
“We’re actually based here in Waterford, we sell the machines, there’s no problem there that we’ll replace that there for you.”
Martina asked John: “What, the quilt?”
To which John said: “The sewing machine, not the quilt.”
Martina was delighted with the offer and could be heard getting teary eyed on air. She said: “I really appreciate that and I am very grateful.”
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