Appeals have been launched for the return of a running blade to a Monaghan Paralympic hopeful.

The custom-made piece of kit was stolen from Shane McLaughlin's car on Friday night in Clones.

McLaughlin (42) is due to travel to Berlin to compete in the Shot-Put and Discus this week.

He says he will not prosecute the person who took piece, which cost €18,000 to make.

He says while it is of immense importance to him, the blade is not worth anything to the thieves.

He told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk, hosted by Jonathan Healy, somebody would have had to look for the blade inside the car.

The gardaí tweeted pictures of the blades:

Carbon Fibre Paralympic Blade Stolen . Please help to have returned to owner. RT See https://t.co/EmPqX9fw55 pic.twitter.com/4uJ70eXiiO

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) June 6, 2015