Both of Dublin’s Luke Kelly statues vandalised

Gardaí are investigating after two statues of the late musician Luke Kelly were vandalised in Dublin between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

One of sculptures, located at the corner of Guild Street and Sheriff Street in Dublin 1, had paint daubed on it for a sixth time in 18 months. The second statue, on South King Street near St Stephen’s Green, was vandalised for the first time, also with paint.

The statues were erected in January of last year after a lengthy campaign to pay a public tribute to the late Dubliners’ singer.

The incidents were the latest in a series of recent acts of vandalism in the city, with a section of the carved ‘Tree of Life’ near St Anne’s Park burned and the base of a statue of Republican Seán Russell painted with rainbow colours this week.

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Lord Mayor of Dublin Tom Brabazon condemned the attacks.

“I really don’t know how people would think that Luke Kelly was in any way offensive,” he said. “He was a champion of the underprivileged and to see his memory desecrated again is very distressing.

“I hope that those responsible are brought before the courts at the earliest possible time and unacceptable behaviour is stopped once and for all.”

The statues were last year unveiled by President Michael D. Higgins on the 35th anniversary of Kelly’s death.

Gardaí have asked anyone with information about the incidents to contact Store Street station on (01) 666 8000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.