Man Charged Over Vandalism Of Luke Kelly Statue

A man has appeared in court accused of pouring paint over a statue of the iconic Irish folk musician, Luke Kelly, near St. Stephen’s Green.

Michael Dunne, of Sophia House, Sean McDermott Street in Dublin, was granted bail today and is due back in court in relation to both charges on September 8th.

The court heard the statue of Luke Kelly near St. Stephen’s Green had paint thrown over it on the night of June 23rd.

Garda Sean Scully said it would be alleged that nineteen pieces of CCTV footage traced the suspect cycling from an address on Sean McDermott Street.

He claimed the man had a bag with him leaving that address, but was seen to discard it after the paint was poured over the statute of the iconic musician.

He told the judge the suspect was then traced cycling back to Sean McDermott Street. It is the prosecution’s case that the suspect is Michael Dunne.

He took the stand today to deny the allegation. His solicitor also told the court he denied having a bike.

He was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance in September.