Heartbroken Belfast parents plea after baby girl's ashes stolen
A heartbroken north Belfast couple have issued an emotional plea after their baby daughter's ashes were stolen on Tuesday night.
Last updated 13th Dec 2017
For Claire Smallwood and Patrick Mulholland, it's been one of the hardest years of their lives, after the loss of Holly last November to stillbirth.
"I had the 20-week scan so I knew it was a girl," said Claire.
"But they had a bit of a concern about the heart and it caused various complications so unfortunately she passed on at 33 weeks on the 13th November last year."
Their grief has been compounded after burglars broke into their home on the Ballygomartin Road sometime between 6.30-9.15pm on Tuesday night and stole their daughter's ashes.
"I don't care if we never find out who did it, that I can live with" said Claire.
"But I can't live with not having Holly. The last of her, with me.
"That, apart from photographs and other little things people have given us, is all we have and it's the most important thing."
The ashes were kept in a small wooden box beside the loving parents' bedside, surrounded by photos of the engaged couple.
Police have said they believe the thieves, moving around in the dark, may have thought the small, knotted plastic bag contained drugs.
Claire and Patrick said they don't know how they'll cope with the double loss.
"You lose a baby and it's the most devastating, heartbreaking thing," said Claire.
"And this feels like we've lost her again."
"It's worse though, we've lost what's left of her," Patrick confirmed.
""The only way I can explain it is that it's worse than the stillbirth," said Claire.
"Getting it back would mean everything."
The young couple aren't concerned with anything else that was taken and have appealed for the thieves to find a way to return their precious link to Holly, even if they don't identify themselves.
"You've got something that means nothing to you," they said.
"Just do the right thing and hand them back.
"Have a bit of heart."
PSNI Inspector Paul Noble said: "We are also appealing to anyone who was in the Ballygomartin Road area last night between 6:15pm and 9:30pm and noticed any suspicious activity, or anyone who knows anything about this burglary, to contact police at Tennent Street on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1338 of 12/12/17.
"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."