Luke Kelly statue vandalised for FIFTH time in 18 months on Sheriff Street in Dublin

Disgusting vandals have defaced the statue of  Luke Kelly  for the fifth time in 18 months.

The statue of the iconic Dubliners star was unveiled by President Michael D Higgins in January 2019 near Kelly's childhood home of Sheriff Street.

But cruel thugs have repeatedly daubed the statue of the local hero with graffiti over the last year and a half, Dublin Live reports.

The latest malicious act saw marks daubed across the statue's eyes and what appears to say "F**k Luke Kelly" underneath.

Local Councillor Christy Burke, who was instrumental in having the statue commissioned, slammed those responsible, telling them to "grow up and get a grip".

He said: "To the culprits that's doing this, you'll never destroy Luke's legacy.

The statue of Luke Kelly located near Sheriff Street in Dublin has been vandalised for the fifth time in 12 months. (Philip Fitzpatrick)

"There's no words to describe you, the proud people of Sheriff St will never forgive you.

DCC at my request will again clean Luke first thing in the morning. Grow up and get a grip."

The statue was defaced at the end of June in 2019 and again in January and March of this year, forcing workers including the statue's designer Vera Klute to get him back to good health using solvent to remove the paint.