Statues of late musician Luke Kelly vandalised with paint in Dublin
Two statues of late musician Luke Kelly were vandalised overnight in Dublin.
The monuments were unveiled in January 2019 to mark the 35th anniversary of The Dubliners singer's death.
White paint was thrown on the marble bust in Sheriff Street at around 11pm on Tuesday night - the sixth time it has been damaged.
The other statue of The Dubliners singer on South King Street was also covered in white paint.
Pictures show the statues being sprayed down and being cleaned on Wednesday.
Culture Minister Josepha Madigan condemned the damage and tweeted: “Both statues vandalised. This is a disgrace.
“Obviously a small minority of people have no respect for the memory of one of our cultural icons. Words fail me at this time.”
Gardai said no arrests have been made in connection with the latest incident and investigations are ongoing.
Dublin city councillor Christy Burke said the latest vandalism of the statue on Sheriff street was an act of thuggery but he does not think it should be moved.
“My reaction is one of shock once again," he said.
“I would describe it as a sickening act of thuggery to do this for the sixth time to the great Luke Kelly.
“He was a man who wore Sheriff street on his sleeve no matter where he went in the world.”
Both statues vandalised. This is a disgrace. Obviously a small minority of people have no respect for the memory of one of our cultural icons. Words fail me at this time. https://t.co/cXcV9ZXUa3
— ⚖️Josepha ⚡️STAY LOCAL⚡️Madigan (@josephamadigan)
“He was an artist who campaigned for civil rights, equality, employment, education – you name it.
“I really don’t know what kick the individuals are getting from defacing it.
He told Newstalk FM that perhaps it was time to have a permanent police officer in place to guard the statues under "24-7 watch".