'Dream come true' for WWE fan Barry as belt recovered one month after SSE Arena tour
A Northern Ireland wrestling fan is overjoyed after a precious customised WWE belt was returned to him after being recovered by Belfast Harbour Police.
Barry Lecky attended WWE Live at the SSE Arena in April and left the belt with his name on it on a chair for a few minutes to queue for a high-five from one of the stars of the show, Cody Rhodes. When he returned it had been taken.
A Belfast Live appeal asking for information on the whereabouts of Barry’s belt was shared thousands of times. The appeal caught the eyes of local comedians Shane Todd and William Thompson, who ran a special fundraising show to have a new custom belt made for Barry.
However on Friday May 31, Belfast Harbour and the Belfast Harbour Police alongside the SSE Arena were able to locate and safely return the belt to the huge wrestling fan
Speaking to Belfast Live, Barry says he never gave up, like his favourite WWE star John Cena.
"I would like to thank Belfast Live and all its followers, Shane Todd, William Thompson and all the amazing Belfast comedians and my family and friends for your support," Barry said.
"Just like John Cena says: Never give up. And I didn’t.
"When we got the call from the Harbour Police this morning to say they had it and that it had been returned to the SSE arena I was in total shock and totally overwhelmed, all my dreams had came true."
A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour said it was 'continuing to investigate the incident' but was delighted to return Barry's belt.
"We are delighted to have been able to return the lost replica belt to wrestling fan Barry," it said.
"Belfast Harbour Police is continuing to investigate the incident and have no further details to share at present."
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