Luke Kelly statue gets cleaned up as hunt continues for spray-painting thug

The Luke Kelly statue is looking almost good as new again after workers gave him a scrub following the disgusting vandalism yesterday afternoon.

Gardai are currently monitoring CCTV in a bid to catch the spray-painting bandit who infuriated locals after they defaced the iconic singer's much-loved statue on Monday evening.

The incident happened in broad daylight with some tourists who idolised the singer reporting all was fine when they visited the statue at 6pm.

Workers including the statue's designer Vera Klute, councillor Christy Burke, helped get him back to good health as they used solvent to take off the paint this morning.

Peter Wojcievch from P Mac's anti-graffiti service helped get most of the paint off and will return to get some spots in the cracks of Luke's eyes in the morning.

Speaking to Dublin Live, former Lord Mayor and good friend of Luke Christy Burke said yesterday was "like attending a wake" as locals rushed out in anger to observe the damage.

"It's great to see its removal. I commend the company and the personal here doing that, as well as Ray from DCC who was instrumental in getting this.

"You've got to salute the locals too for their support and dedication. They were shocked.

"But it's not the end of the world. The job will be done and the locals will police it.

"CCTV is being examined as we speak and hopefully we'll be able to identify the culprit or culprits.

"Yesterday was like a wake. A lot of the young lads and girls were here singing when Luke was unveiled - some came up to me yesterday and said 'we'll mind Luke Christy' which was touching.

"The women wanted to get clothes and wipe him down, but we advised against that - but everyone wanted to do something."

Gardai confirmed they're investigating the incident with a spokesperson telling Dublin Live the investigation is ongoing.

They said: "Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage to a statue on Guild Street, Dublin 1 that occurred between 6pm and 8.15pm on 25th June 2019.

"No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing."