Vandalism of WWI statue an ‘embarrassment to our country’
THE vandalism of a sculpture erected in Dublin to mark the Armistice centenary has been branded an ‘embarrassment’ to Ireland.
The solicitor who spearheaded efforts to bring The Hauntings Soldier artwork to the city said the attack would prove counterproductive, predicting even more people would pay their respects.
Red paint was thrown over the six metre-high sculpture in St Stephen’s Green at around 2am yesterday. Gardaí are investigating.
Wreaths and flowers laid at the base of the sculpture were also damaged, among them one laid by the New Zealand All Blacks ahead of their rugby match with Ireland last Saturday.
The laurel wreath was in tribute to the first captain of the All Blacks, Donegal-born Dave Gallaher who was killed in action at Ypres in 1917. Last month’s installation was seen by many as indicative of changing attitudes in Ireland to the tens of thousands of Irishmen who fought and died in World War I.
Sabina Purcell, who had the idea to bring the piece to Ireland, securing a State grant and private sector sponsorship, said she was ‘very upset’.
‘This does not reflect who we are or what we have become and whoever did this is an embarrassment to us,’ she told reporters. The artwork was designed by Dorset-based artist and blacksmith Martin Galbavy. It has been loaned to Ireland and its final day in Dublin is Monday.
The solicitor hailed the repair work carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) yesterday morning. ‘There’ll be even more visitors now, turning an horrendous negative into an absolute positive. So it’s been totally counterproductive.’
The statue is designed to evoke the fragility and suffering of those who survived the war and returned to a difficult future.
‘It will prove counterproductive’