Almost €1,500 has been spent so far on cleaning one of the Luke Kelly statues in Dublin. The tribute on Guild Street has been vandalised six times – and the one near St. Stephen’s Green on South King Street was also targeted last night.
For Guild Street locals, the Luke Kelly statue being vandalised has become an all too familiar sight. It’s happened half a dozen times since the tribute to the late Dubliners singer was installed 18 months ago.
White paint was thrown over it last night – and the statue near St. Stephen’s Green was also vandalised. It’s believed the two incidents are linked and Gardai are continuing to investigate.
Both statues were unveiled in January 2019, to mark the 35th anniversary of the musician’s death.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has already saud Dublin City Council should consider the possibility of moving the vandalised bust, located near the musician’s birthplace
Local representitive Cllr. Christy Burke, the former Dublin Lord Mayor is fed up: ”Maybe it’s time for a community 24-7 watch, given the fact we can’t have a permanent Garda Síochana post.
“At the end of the day, it’s a disturbing, sickening act to wake up to this morning.”
Culture Minister Josepha Madigan condemned the damage to the statues.
“Both states vandalised. This is a disgrace, she tweeted.
“Obviously a small mintority of people have no respect for the memory of one of our cultural icons. Words fail me at this time.”
Both Luke Kelly statues were vandalised last night. 😟 Thanks @pmacdublin who are currently on site cleaning Luke on Sth King Street.👏🏻👏🏻 #lukekelly pic.twitter.com/FbyFuysia4
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) June 24, 2020
In Tombstone, Wyatt Earp would be rustling up a posse.
Both Luke Kelly statues vandalised.
Again. Barbarians.
So depressing.
"Art is not an amenity, it is a central part of the human experience."
Daniel Weiss, President of The Met.https://t.co/Ql5PsvoJpp— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) June 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/luke_oriordan/status/1266487645737189378
