Gardaí are appealing for information after the theft of a carbon fibre running blade in Clones, Co Monaghan, on Friday night.

The blade belonging to local athlete Shane McLaughlin was stolen from his car, which was parked outside his house at Clonkeencole.

The theft happened between 8.45pm on Friday last night and 5am on Saturday.

Gardaí are keen to retrieve the running blade as Mr McLaughlin is competing at a competition in Berlin this month.

He is due to compete in the shot put and discus throw in the Berlin Open, an international paralympic competition.

The competition takes place from 19-21 June.

Gardaí say the running blade is of no use to anybody else as it is custom-made to fit Mr McLaughlin.

Mr McLaughlin's leg was injured when he was kicked by an animal in 2001, and on 12 August 2012 his leg was amputated.

Gardaí called on those who stole the blade to return it and appealed for people with any information to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047-77200.