A New York Police Department cop has called on Ireland to help track down a family who has been sending him Christmas cards for the last 14 years.
In 2008, a mum and her two daughters had their luggage lost or stolen in New York city. Detective James Gherardi stepped in to help the women and pointed them in the direction of the Irish consulate.
Every year since then, an envelope has arrived in his precinct postbox at Christmas time, thanking him for his kindness.
READ MORE: Met Eireann snow map shows exactly where and when it will fall as icy -4C Arctic blast forecast
Detective Gherardi says he wanted to write back - but only knew the women by their first names - Mary, Kate and Claire.
However, this year Mr Gherardi came across a clue when he spotted a small stamp indicating the card had been sent from Portlaoise Mail Center.
He then reached out to John Hayes, editor of the Laois People, to try and track the women down. In his correspondence, the detective included photos of both the envelope and the front of the card which read 'Merry Christmas from Macroom' .
This leads us to the second clue in this ongoing investigation - they may be from Cork.
Detective Gherardi said: "I will do my best to keep this short and sweet. In 2008 while working I had helped 3 women named Mary, Kate and Claire with some lost/stolen luggage. The group was a mother and 2 daughters. As well I was able to guide them to the Irish consulate here in NYC.
"Every year since I have received a Christmas card to my precinct from them. Problem is that there is no return address or any way to contact them back. This year finally on the envelope was a stamp showing the Portlaoise Mails Center.
"I am attempting to reach out to different groups in an effort to locate them so I can try to correspond back with them after all these years. Sadly I have no last name or any further identifying information."
Cork Beo has asked its readers to step in and help solve the mystery - here's what we know so far.
- The group consists of three women named Mary, Kate and Claire.
- It was a mother and her two daughters
- They went to New York City sometime in 2008
- The card indicates they're from around the Macroom area
- They're very diligent with their Christmas cards every year
If you think you know who this is, please ask them to get in touch with Cork Beo who will try to finally reunite Detective Gherardi. with the three women he helped out more than 14 years ago.
READ NEXT :
Fears for health of Irishman held in Iran 'hellhole' prison in crowded cell amid -5C temperatures
Social welfare: Four benefits to apply for in January if you've never qualified before
Cost of Covid tests to increase within days as Government to hike VAT despite surge
Leo Varadkar to tackle Ireland's housing crisis 'Covid-style'
Expert warns people to never put Amazon Echo Alexa in bedrooms amid privacy concerns
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
