Pictures were posted on social which showed black paint had been painted across parts of the statue.

Absolute ridiculous act of vandalism, mocks the memory of an Inner City icon. Someone had to have seen this being done. Mindless and senseless, plenty of CCTV here. Has been reported to Gardai & @DubCityEnviro pic.twitter.com/Hzb7z6cbe7

— Anthony Flynn (@AnthonyICHH) June 25, 2019

As one of the founding members of the band The Dubliners, Luke Kelly had a central role to play in the folk revival in Ireland. Noted for his distinctive singing style, his memorable ballads, and his sometimes political messages, Kelly is rightly regarded as one of Ireland most important musicians.

Plans had already been made to give Luke Kelly his own statue back in 2004, after a unanimous vote from the city council, but this plan fell through whenever it became apparent that the Dublin Docklands Authority could no longer afford to push it.

Despite this, Councillor Christy Burke, himself a close friend of Kelly, continued lobbying for the statue, making appeals to Bono, Enya, and Phil Coulter to help make it happen.

The Luke Kelly statue was unveiled by Michael D. Higgins on January 30 this year, alongside another statue of the folk singer on King Street South.