Posted online: Aug 17th, 2010

A cross border monkey hunt was launched on Sunday last after Buncrana’s most recognisable “resident” was kidnapped.

Coco the Gorilla normally takes pride of place in O’Flaherty’s Bar in the town and famously changes his look for many special occasions, not least at the weekend when he was all spruced up to congratulate a local couple on their wedding day.

If the life size cuddly primate – who celebrates his 21^st birthday in October – isn’t propped up at the bar inside, he can be found outside on the Main Street, to the delight of many locals and tourists who have stopped to get their picture taken with him on numerous occasions over the years.

However, at 7.00pm on Sunday evening, a group of unidentified passersby weren’t so friendly and snatched the much-loved mascot from outside the premises before driving off in their Northern registered car.

However, luckily enough, a quick-thinking passerby noted down the registration number of the vehicle and promptly handed it in to Siabhra O’Flaherty at the bar. CCTV footage also showed the thieves snatching Coco.

Miss O’Flaherty then reported the theft to the Gardai and the PSNI, who promptly set to work to find him.

Speaking to the Inish Times, she said her family were very upset when they realised Coco was gone and revealed the unusual story of how he made his way to Ireland in the first place, after her late father Pauric found him in Las Vegas.

She said: “Coco has a lot of sentimental value for us and has been part of the bar for 21 years now. So many people recognise him and we dress him up for all these different occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day – we recently dressed him up for the Donegal Rally.

“Coco first came to O’Flaherty’s 21 years ago this October after daddy got him in Las Vegas. But, when he was travelling back home with him, he didn’t want him to go into cargo so he actually bought another seat for Coco and sat in the seat next to him for the whole flight!

“We were very upset when he was taken and thought we wouldn’t get him back.”

However, Coco’s kidnap ordeal thankfully didn’t last too long and three hours after he was taken, the PSNI in Derry’s Strand Road contacted Siabhra to inform her he had been found. He was then safely delivered back home to the O’Flaherty’s and his fellow monkey Pepsi – to everyone’s delight..

“The whole bar cheered when we brought him back in,” said Siabhra.

“The PSNI were fantastic, really helpful and quick to respond. As those who had taken it were in a Northern registered car, the Gardai had to contact them and the lady who I spoke to couldn’t have done enough. We were delighted to get Coco back so quickly.”

They are hoping Coco will now be left and peace and never kidnapped again.

“We were considering offering a ransom but we don’t want to encourage anyone else to take him!” quipped Siabhra.