FATHER TED HAS often paralleled real life, but this crime could have been lifted straight from the TV show.
The remote Hebridean island of Canna (home to all of 26 people) has been rocked by its first crime in years, after thieves stole sweets and chocolate from the community shop.
According to The Guardian, the shop was “ransacked” last Friday night, with the shelves cleared of sweets, chocolate bars and biscuits, as well as six hand-knitted hats made by the shop manager, Julie McCabe.
The shop is usually left open overnight to allow fishermen to rest inside - payment is made via an ‘honesty box’, and customers are asked to write down what they take in a ledger.
Manager Julie McCabe told the Aberdeen Press and Journal that the community was “gutted” by the crime:
I am absolutely floored that someone has been in and did that to our community. We are going to have to consider locking the door at night.
Sound familiar? That’s because it’s pretty much the plot of the Old Grey Whistle Theft, in which the theft of a grey whistle leaves the residents of Craggy Island in fear of a ‘crime wave’.
The thief turned out to be the rebellious Father Damo, who tried to pass off the blame on poor old Dougal.
So if the residents of Canna spot any suspiciously pierced ears about, they may have their men…
Thanks to Kate McKenna for the tip-off!
