Dublin locals have expressed outrage after a statue dedicated to iconic musician Luke Kelly was "mindlessly" defaced on Tuesday afternoon.
The marble portrait head of Kelly, that was unveiled on Sheriff Street in January of this year, appears to have black spray paint across the artist's eyes.
The vandalism has been condemned as "ridiculous" and "mindless" by some Dubliners, Dublin Live reports.
Josepha Madigan, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, described the defacing as "sacrilegious".
She said: "Where is the respect for Luke Kelly's memory? Wanton disfigurement of such a bespoke unique sculpture as this is nothing short of sacreligious."
Councillor Anthony Flynn added that those responsible for the act are "mindless and senseless".
He said: "Absolute ridiculous act of vandalism, mocks the memory of an Inner City icon.
"Someone has to have seen this being done. Mindless and senseless, plenty of CCTV here.
"Has been reported to An Garda Siochana and Dublin City Council."
