Statue in park damaged by a car

February 2005

A statue of Garda Martin Naughton in Ice House Hill Park is badly damaged after being struck by a car.

The bronze statue by local artist Tanya Nygaard had been commissioned by businessman Martin Naughton to mark the opening of the park in 1995.

It commemorates his late father who had served as a garda in Dundalk for more than 40 years.

‘I’m gutted. We are all very proud of the statue. It is a symbol for the area,’ remarks one resident.

Cllr Jim Ryan condemns the latest incident in the park.

‘Something will have to be done to stop joyriders from gaining access to the park.

It’s a disgrace,’ he says.

It appears the culprits cut a lock on the back gate.

Previously, a life-sized painted cow in the park was damaged beyond repair when an attempt was made to set it on fire. It was impaled on metal railings.

A wooden ‘Conversation Circle’ has been removed from the park for repairs following vandalism.