Outrage as WW1 statue and Dave Gallaher wreath vandalised

A World War I sculpture and a wreath honouring Donegal-born Dave Gallaher were smeared in paint in an act of vandalism this week.

The ‘Haunting Soldier’ artwork was installed in St Stephen’s Green in Dublin this month for Armistice 100. The scrap metal statue was created to commemorate the 35,000 Irish people who died and 210,000 who served during WW1.

A laurel wreath in memory of the legendary All Black rugby player and soldier Dave Gallaher was also laid at the scene on Saturday last by the New Zealand All Blacks.

The team paid tribute to their first captain Gallaher before their rugby match against Ireland at the weekend. Gallaher died during WW1 in 1917 at the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium.

There was shock in Dublin on Thursday when it was discovered that red paint was thrown over the WW1 sculpture and wreath in the early hours of the morning.

A Garda investigation was launched and a clean-up operation quickly commenced at the site.

Much of the red paint was cleaned off the instalment within a day.

The vandalism at the memorial was widely criticised. Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan told the Irish Independent: “This installation honours all those who died in the terrible suffering of World War One.

“It is incredibly moving and has been proved immensely popular.

“There is no bravery in throwing paint at a statue in the middle of the night,” she said.

‘The Haunted Soldier’ was created by Dorset-based blacksmith Martin Galbavy and will remain in St Stephen’s Green until November 26.